The Sound Tigers Report

SOUND TIGERS FACE PENGUINS IN HOME-AND-HOME SERIES THIS WEEKEND

Bridgeport hosts Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tonight for "Hockey and Hops" promotion at Webster Bank Arena

DATE OPPONENT TIME BROADCAST

Nov. 25 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 7 p.m. AHLlive.com

Nov. 26 @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 7:05 p.m. AHLlive.com

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (November 25, 2016) - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (11-5-0-0) enter this weekend's action on a three-game win streak following a 4-2 victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack on Wednesday. Steve Bernier scored twice that night including a unique empty-net, power-play goal in the final minute, giving up his body to block a shot in the defensive zone, in which the puck caromed off his leg and down the ice into the open cage. Eamon McAdam also made headlines with his third victory in as many starts this season, stopping a career-best 30 shots against the Wolf Pack. Tonight, the Bridgeport goes for its first four-game win streak of the season and looks to leap Lehigh Valley for second place in the Atlantic Division standings. This is Bridgeport's first home-and-home series of the season.

HOCKEY AND HOPS

The Sound Tigers are combining hockey and hops tonight for one of their best theme nights of the season! Try the tastiest local craft beers before the game with a special ticket package that night only. Get access to the game, the pre-game beer tasting party and a souvenir Sound Tigers 5.5-ounce beer tasting glass for just $25. Call 203-345-2300 Option 7 to order or ORDER ONLINE NOW (use promo code BEER). Beer tasting packages must be purchased in advance.

SEASON SERIES

Tonight’s game marks the third of six meetings between the Sound Tigers and Penguins this season, and the second of three matchups at Webster Bank Arena. Bridgeport trails the season series 0-2-0-0 after a 7-1 loss in Connecticut on November 5th and a 4-3 setback in Pennsylvania one week ago. The Sound Tigers went 5-1-0-0 against the Penguins last season.

VIEW FROM WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON

Clark Donatelli’s club is the top team in the Eastern Conference with 25 points (12-4-1-0) in 17 games. The Penguins have won seven of their last 10 games, but were shut out for the first time this season in their last outing on Wednesday, suffering a 4-0 loss to the Hershey Bears in “Chocolatetown.” Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is currently without its top scorer, Jake Guentzel, who was recalled to Pittsburgh for the first time last Monday. The rookie scored twice in his NHL debut against the New York Rangers including a goal on his first shot. Meanwhile, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton continues to maintain the best goaltending duo in the AHL. Casey DeSmith leads the league with a 1.40 goals-against-average and .949 save percentage in five starts, while Tristan Jarry is seventh in the AHL with a 2.15 goals-against-average through 12 starts.

YOUTH MOVEMENT

At 20 years and five months old, rookie forward Michael Dal Colle is the youngest player on the Sound Tigers’ roster. However, he leads the team with seven goals (tied for third among AHL rookies) and two game-winning tallies this season. Dal Colle is also tied for 20th among league rookies with nine points. Bridgeport is a perfect 7-0-0-0 when Dal Colle scores in a game. The Islanders prospect was selected fifth overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

COMMANDING THE CREASE

Speaking of young players making a difference, 22-year-old netminder Eamon McAdam won his first three starts of the season (AHL) last weekend, going 3-0-0 with a 2.00 goals-against-average and .930 save percentage. His first career win occurred Saturday against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, a team based out of Allentown, PA, just 22 miles from McAdam’s hometown of Perkasie, PA. Prior to turning pro, McAdam played three seasons at Penn State University in State College, PA. He became just the second Nittany Lion to ever sign an NHL contract when he did so with the Islanders last March. He was selected by New York in the third round (#70 overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

WHEN 60 ISN’T ENOUGH

Bridgeport continued its success beyond regulation last Sunday when Kane Lafranchise scored his first overtime goal in the AHL to guide the Sound Tigers over Binghamton. Bridgeport now leads the league with a perfect winning percentage (100-percent; 4-for-4) through at least four overtime games. Four of the Sound Tigers’ last eight contests have ended in overtime or a shootout.

QUICK HITS

Kane Lafranchise is on a team-best three-game point streak (one goal, two assists)... Bracken Kearns continues to lead the team with nine assists, 15 points (tied for ninth in the AHL) and four multi-point games… Steve Bernier recorded his 300th pro point with a first-period goal against Hartford on Wednesday... Bridgeport leads the league with five shorthanded goals scored.

AFFILIATE REPORT

NHL: New York Islanders (6-9-2-2): Next @ San Jose - Today, 4 p.m. ET

ECHL: Missouri Mavericks (6-8-0-1): Next at Indy - Saturday, 7:35 p.m. ET