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ISLANDERS LOSE TO BRUINS ON 11/8

Bridgeport IslandersPROVIDENCE, R.I. (November 8, 2024) – Marc Gatcomb and Sam Bolduc bookended the scoring at Amica Mutual Pavilion on Friday, but the Bridgeport Islanders (2-7-1-1), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, came up short in a 3-2 loss to the Providence Bruins (4-6-0-0) to end a three-game road trip.

Jakub Skarek (2-4-0) made 30 saves to keep the Islanders in it. Special teams were the difference, as the Bruins went 2-for-5 on the power play, 3-for-3 on the penalty kill, and scored the eventual game-winner shorthanded.

Michael DiPietro (4-2-0) had 27 saves for Providence, helping the Bruins snap a five-game winless in regulation skid.

BOX SCORE

The Islanders built some early momentum through a solid penalty kill. Bolduc was assessed as a delay of game minor just 1:55 into the contest, and the Bruins tested Skarek with five timely shots, but the 24-year-old came up clutch. Bridgeport also had an early power play of its own, but despite coming up empty, Gatcomb made it 1-0 with an even-strength goal shortly after.

Cam Thiesing connected with Julien Gauthier, who drove down the right wing and towards the Bruins’ trapezoid before centering a pass for Gatcomb’s one-time finish near the doorstep. It was Gatcomb’s second goal of the season, which came at 10:03.

The Bruins responded with three goals on special teams, including two on the power play in the second period, just 1:04 apart. With Tyce Thompson in the box for slashing, Jordan Oesterle sent a wrist shot through traffic from above the right circle to make it 1-1 at 12:20. Christian Krygier was accessed a slashing penalty at 13:03. Vinni Lettieri made the Islanders pay yet again with another power-play goal at 13:24, this time a one-touch blast from the slot on Georgii Merkulov’s feed. Providence entered the game with two power-play goals on the entire season.

Jeffrey Viel gave the Bruins their first shorthanded goal 1:28 into the third period, which stood as the difference. Marc McLaughlin poked the puck ahead from the neutral zone to spring Viel for a breakaway and the eventual game-winner.

The Islanders outshot Providence 15-7 in the third period and out-chanced them by an even wider margin but only closed to within one. DiPietro denied Gauthier on a penalty shot at the 13:53 mark before Bolduc scored his second goal of the season at 18:33 on a 6-on-5. Bolduc occupied the right point, gathered a loose puck, and floated a shot toward the crease that changed directions off a Bruin in front.

Brian Pinho and Chris Terry were each held scoreless, ending their impressive goal (six games) and point (eight games) streaks, respectively. Pinho had a team-high five shots.

The Islanders fell to 0-2-0-0 against Providence this season at 0-1-0-0 in Rhode Island. The two Atlantic Division rivals will rematch inside Total Mortgage Arena at 7 p.m. tomorrow night.

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HOWLINGS

Mitch Beck

Mitch Beck was a standup comedian and radio personality for over 25 years. His passion for hockey started with Team USA in 1980 when they defeated the Soviets at Lake Placid. He has also worked in hockey as a coach and administrator. He also works for USA Hockey as a Coach Developer. Mitch has been reporting on the New York Rangers, and exclusively on the Hartford Wolf Pack since 2005.

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