BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT – Two third period goals allowed the newly renamed Bridgeport Islanders (formerly the Sound Tigers) to skip past the Hartford Wolf Pack Friday afternoon closing out the preseason home schedule, 4-3.
Defenseman Mitch Vande Sompel put home his first goal of the preseason at 14:48 of the third period. The Islanders had leads of 2-0 and 3-2 earlier in the game.
The Islanders opened the scoring at 7:35 of the first period with a Simon Holmstrom shot off the post that beat starting goaltender Adam Huska.
Bridgeport made it 2-0 at the 14:40 mark when Cole Coskey found a rebound and chipped it over Huska, Blade Jenkins assisted.
PACK BATTLE BACK
However, the Wolf Pack would not go away quietly as they battled back to tie the game eventually.
Lauri Pajuniemi continued to score for the Wolf Pack putting his team on the board with his third preseason goal at 16:30 of the opening frame. Recently signed and former Bridgeport player Cedric Lacroix, and second-year pro Patrick Khodorenko, picked up the assists on the tally.
Hartford held the edge in play in the second period, scoring the period’s only goal that tied things up at 2-2. Anthony Greco fired a shot denied by Jon Gillies (Salisbury School), but defenseman Zach Giuttar (Loomis Chafee) got into the play and tapped home the rebound at 13:07.
The Wolf Pack put Bridgeport on their heels with a barrage of shots in the final 40 minutes, but the Islanders would break the tie midway through the third period.
Jeff Kubiak, a Bridgeport returnee, gave the Islanders back the lead at 10:19 of the third, tipping home a one-time shot that came off Grant Hutton’s stick, who was just sent down to the American League from the parent club in Long Island.
STAYING IN THE GAME
That lead, however, was short-lived. The Pack struck back moments later on the powerplay. Austin Rueschhoff found a loose puck in front of the Islander net and jammed it past Gillies at 11:21, knotting the score at three.
Rueschhoff’s goal was assisted by rookie Matthew Robertson, whose point shot created the rebound. Pajuniemi earned his second point of the day on the play as well.
As the battle continued, Bridgeport would wrestle the lead back over Hartford just 3:07 later.
Vande Sompel was sprung ahead by recently signed ex-Pack, Paul Thompson gaining entrance into the offensive zone. Speeding in, Vande Sompel fired a shot into the net over the blocker of relief goaltender Tyler Wall.
Despite a late effort and a 39-27 shot advantage for the Wolf Pack, Gillies was able to slam the door shut in the final moments.
The Wolf Pack begin their 25th anniversary season on Friday, October 15th, when they play host to the Islanders. The opening weekend includes a date on October 17th against the Providence Bruins.
NOTES
Goalie Charles Williams, D Brandon Fortunato (QUINNIPIAC), D Victor Hadfield, F Derek Lodermeier, and F Ara Nazarian have all been released and returned to the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL).
Defenseman Chris Martenet and forward Chris Brown head to the Toledo Walleye (ECHL).
There are 28 players in camp, with the Wolf Pack comprised of 16 forwards, nine defensemen, and three goaltenders on the current roster.
Forwards: Jonny Brodzinski, Cristiano DiGiacinto, Tanner Fritz, Tim Gettinger, Anthony Greco, Brandon Hawkins, Patrick Khodorenko, Cedric Lacroix, Greg McKegg, Mike O’Leary, Lauri Pajuniemi, Justin Richards, Ty Ronning, Austin Rueschhoff, James Sanchez and Alex Whelan
Defensemen: Anthony Bitetto, Zach Giuttari, Blake Hillman, Zac Jones, Tarmo Reunanen, Matthew Robertson, Braden Schneider, Hunter Skinner, and Jeff Taylor.
Goaltenders: Adam Huska, Keith Kinkaid, Tyler Wall.
