An independent blog on the New York Islanders, the NHL and AHL by a guy from New York.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Tiger Power



In just 14 games to start the AHL season, former Isles first rounders, Nino Niederreiter is 3rd in AHL scoring and has exploded with 9 and 8 for 17 pts while Brock Nelson has added 7 and 7 for 14 pts for Bridgeport.  This is fantastic news for Islanders fans.  If Nino meets the lofty expectations set for him by management and he recovers his scoring touch in the American league, he will have a real shot to make an impact on Long Island.  Nelson’s development continues to impress, and his success at this level bodes well for everyone in Islander country.  He is yet another real asset for a rebuilding Isles offensive unit.




Casey Cizikas, Matt Watkins, Travis Hamonic and workshorse, Jon Landry had an 8 pt start to the season.  Guys like Jon Landry continue to impress fans and have shown what you can accomplish by making the most of an opportunity.  Brandon DeFazio, Johan Sundstrom and Colin McDonald have 7 pts while David Ullstrom has 6 continuing where he left off after last season's stellar performance.


Of the 16 other players on the roster, 11 have tallied at least one point.

In just 4 games played, Kirill Kabanov was making an impact before his injury and should resume his high energy play when he returns to the line up.


Bridgeport is also a team that can stand up for each other with guys like Gallant, Riley, McIver, McDonald and DeFazio.  Travis Hamonic continues to lead by example with his fists a well as his stick and Casey Cizikas is showing his true form.  Still others fight each and every shift and deliver results.


In Net, regular contributors have made an impact as well.

Kevin Poulin is 6-3 with a 2.99 gaa and a .905 Sv%. 

Anders Nilsson is 4-0 with a 1.75 gaa and a .935 Sv%, good enough for 5th best in the league among goaltenders.



This season the Bridgeport Sound Tigers are 10-4, good enough for 2nd in the North East division and have played a solid team game with contributions throughout the line up.  The top prospects have delivered and those expected to make an impact have also done well.

The development of the younger guys with Coach Pellerin and his Staff have been the only bright spot during this dreaded NHL lock out .  The draft picks are showing their value and the team is starting to really play well again this season. 


There is something to look forward to during this hockey blackout Isles fans. 


The future.






Isles Notes:

Who will return to play first?  Rick DiPietro or the Locked Out NHL?


Sound Tigers Notes:

11/18  Colin McDonald returns to the lineup today after missing last two games due to suspension.  BST scratch Hill.

Today's forward lines: Niederreiter-Nelson-McDonald, Persson-Sundstrom-Backman, DeFazio-Watkins-MacKay, Gallant-Ullstrom-Riley.

Sound Tigers starters - DeFazio-Watkins-MacKay, McIver-Hamonic. Nilsson in net.

Final score: Sound Tigers 6, Prov. Bruins 2. Ullstrom w/ 3 pts (2g/1a), Niederreiter w/ 2 pts (1g/1a), 12 different Sound Tigers record pt in win.


11/17  Sound Tigers starters - Niederreiter-Nelson-DeFazio, Hamonic-Hill. Anders Nilsson in net. Game underway vs. Monarchs.

D Jason Clark scratched for BST.

Isles Head coach Jack Capuano is on the BST bench tonight alongside Sound Tigers head coach Scott Pellerin & asst. coach Eric Boguniecki.

Shutout win for Anders Nilsson, 4-0 vs.Manchester!


Tigers go 2-1 over the weekend.  (3-1 L vs. WBS Friday.)


Per BST, “Niederreiter’s two points extended his point-scoring streak to eight consecutive games. Nilsson made 29 saves to earn the victory and improved to 4-0-0 this season. The Sound Tigers have scored a power play goal in six straight games, and have scored on 13 of their last 41 power play opportunities. The teams combined for five fights; Brett Gallant recorded 12 penalty minutes and upped his PIM total to 71, which currently leads the AHL.”



NHL Notes:

Per Darren Millard, “4 days into moratorium NHL & PA did speak today by phone daly/steve fehr. There r tentative plans to meet in person on Mon nite.”

Per FrankSeravalli, “Multiple sources confirmed to the Daily News on Friday that Snider, once seen as a supporter of the Bettman's push to rein in the players' share of revenue, has soured on the process after it became apparent that a deal would not be brokered in time for a Dec. 1 puck drop.”  He adds, “Put simply: Snider and the rest of the NHL's owners were promised a big win by Bettman, with player concessions on revenue division and contracting rights. The best they'll get now is a small win in revenue split - coupled with a demoralized fan base and all-important corporate sponsors that are ready to quit … A source familiar with Snider's thinking characterized it as: "If this is the deal we are going to get, what's the point of dragging this out?"




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