RECAP: BRUINS 3, ISLANDERS 2
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 19, 2025) – The Bridgeport Islanders (15-50-4-3), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, saw their 2024-25 season come to an end on Saturday with a 3-2 loss to the Providence Bruins (41-23-5-3) at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Gemel Smith and Cam Berg each scored, while Liam Foudy assisted on both goals. Tristan Lennox (0-5-0) made 32 saves in his sixth career AHL start.
The Islanders controlled a good amount of the first period and outshot the Bruins 17-11, but found themselves down 2-1 after 20 minutes. Vinni Lettieri opened the scoring just 3:11 into the game, driving the net and burying Dans Ločmelis’ brilliant centering feed from between his legs at the side of the crease. Frederic Brunet found Ločmelis from the left half wall before Ločmelis, who has 12 points in just six pro games, made the highlight-reel connection in tight. It was Lettieri’s 21st goal of the season.
Smith and the Islanders responded at the 11:57 mark. Foudy sprung Smith on a two-on-one rush down the left side, and Smith snuck a sharp wrist between the pads of goaltender Michael DiPietro (26-8-5). It was Smith’s sixth goal of the season and first since Jan. 31. DiPietro, who got most of the puck but not all of it, ended the night with 33 saves. He finished the regular season with 26 wins, two behind Milwaukee’s Matt Murray for the league lead.
Matt Poitras put the Bruins back ahead in the final 24 seconds of the period. Ločmelis orchestrated his second straight Providence goal with a centering pass from the left circle, and Poitras outmuscled an Islander near the crease to force home his 17th goal of the season.
Following a scoreless second period, John Farinacci made it 3-1 Bruins at 7:00 of the third. Max Wanner carried the puck down the right side and appeared to load up for a shot, which draw Lennox to the top corner of the crease. Wanner made an adjustment and fed a backdoor pass to Farinacci for a tap-in goal at even strength.
Bridgeport did not go way. With less than six minutes remaining, Berg accepted Foudy’s stretch pass in the neutral zone and raced down the right side, beating DiPietro low blocker for his second goal in three professional games. Brian Pinho earned the secondary assist to finish the season with 49 points (25g, 24a), second on the team behind Chris Terry. Pinho’s 25 goals led the club, while Terry paced the Islanders with 66 points and 47 assists in 68 appearances.
Bridgeport went 0-for-6 on the power play, but 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. A tightly contested, physical matchup featured 72 total penalty minutes and a pair of tights between Wanner and Gleb Veremyev, and Travis Mitchell and Daniil Misyul.
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RECAP: WOLF PACK 4, ISLANDERS 1
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
HARTFORD, Conn. (April 18, 2025) – The Bridgeport Islanders (15-49-4-3), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, were defeated by the Hartford Wolf Pack (30-33-7-2) in their final trip to the XL Center this season, 4-1, on Friday.
Alex Jefferies scored his 13th goal of the year – and his second in the last three games – nearly four minutes into the contest, but Hartford responded with four unanswered goals in its season finale.
The Islanders had been outscored mightily in first periods over their last nine games, but turned things around with Jefferies’ early tally just 4:05 in. Liam Foudy took Gemel Smith’s pass and raced into the Wolf Pack zone, slowing on the left side before finding the Bridgeport rookie. Jefferies cut through the left circle and in towards the crease, beating Dylan Garand (20-10-8) short side to make it 1-0. Garand was perfect on the final 21 shots he faced.
Bridgeport retained its slight advantage for more than 26 minutes, but the Wolf Pack strung together four consecutive goals including two in a span of 2:10 during the second period. Brandon Scanlin tied the game on his eighth tally of the season via a rebound at the doorstep, and Dylan Roobroeck notched the eventual game winner with a heavy wrist shot between the circles at 12:21. It was Roobroeck’s team-leading 20th goal and fifth against the Isles. Nathan Sucese earned the primary assist on both.
Noah Laba made it 3-1 in the final 28 seconds of the period before Jaroslav Chmelar tipped home Casey Fitzgerald’s slap shot exactly one minute into the third. Tristan Lennox (0-4-0) made 18 saves on the night.
The Islanders went 0-for-2 on the power play, but 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. Bridgeport finished its season series against the Wolf Pack 2-6-2-0.
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AIDAN FULP NAMED BRIDGEPORT ISLANDERS’ IOA/AMERICAN SPECIALTY AHL MAN OF THE YEAR
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (April 15, 2025) – The Bridgeport Islanders are proud to announce that Aidan Fulp has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to the greater Bridgeport community during the 2024-25 season.
Fulp eagerly participated in more than 20 community events as part of the Islanders’ community program. He is often the first player to register for an event, encouraged his teammates to join him, and challenged the team to secure more community appearances. The 25-year-old has constantly exemplified what it means to be dedicated to the community.
Fulp made it a priority to be visible in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, and beyond. In November, he led a player-driven partnership with One Tough Cookie, organizing care packages for oncology nurses at Yale New Haven Hospital as part of ‘Hockey Fights Cancer.’
He consistently donated his time after practices, and on days off, volunteering with many other key initiatives. He visited the 103rd Airlift Wing of the Connecticut Air National Guard to meet their staff and learn more about their mission and operations for ‘Military Appreciation Night.’ As part of ‘Hometown Heroes Night,’ he and his teammates visited Stratford EMS to show their appreciation and donate tickets to local first responders.
Fulp has been a staple at the Yale New Haven Toy Closet Program for the last two years. The Toy Closet Program provides gifts to children during hospital stays especially during Christmas time. More than $3,000 worth of toys were delivered and organized by Fulp and his teammates in December. He also visited the Yale New Haven Hospital in a separate initiative during the holidays, meeting with children, taking photos, and signing autographs.
Other notable appearances Fulp was involved with include: Serving meals to veterans at Homes for the Brave in Bridgeport, participating in numerous youth hockey practices including events at SoNo Icehouse and Wonderland of Ice, packaging meals with Connecticut Foodshare in support of local food pantries, and spending an afternoon with children at Make-A-Wish in Trumbull.
At each of these events, Fulp set the bar high for his teammates and Islanders’ staff members. A fan favorite, Fulp always makes time to connect with the community, take photos and hear their stories.
Fulp is now one of 32 finalists for the AHL’s 2024-25 Yanick Dupré Memorial Award, honoring the overall IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year. The league award is named after the former Hershey Bears forward and AHL All-Star who died in 1997 following a 16-month battle with leukemia. The winner of the Yanick Dupré Memorial Award will be announced by the American Hockey League later this month.
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RECAP: PENGUINS 5, ISLANDERS 2
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (April 13, 2025) – Ross Mitton and Gleb Veremyev both scored their first professional goals on Sunday, but the Bridgeport Islanders (15-48-4-3), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, suffered a 5-2 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (39-22-7-1) in their home finale at Total Mortgage Arena.
T.J. Semptimphelter (0-1-0) made 18 saves in his professional debut between the pipes.
Zach Gallant was the hero for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, registering the game-winning goal as well as an assist. Gabe Klassen notched his first AHL goal, while Nolan Renwick, Atley Calvert, and Avery Hayes also found the back of the net. Sam Poulin logged two helpers. Sergei Murashov (12-3-0) stopped 30 of the 32 shots he faced for the Penguins.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton took control early, racking up three goals in the first period. Klassen struck first at 6:36, finishing off Logan Pietila’s centering pass from below the goal line with a quick shot blocker side on Semptimphelter.
At 12:36, Dan Renouf skated down the right wing and fed a backhand pass through the crease, where Renwick slammed it home from the doorstep to extend Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s lead to 2-0. Jack St. Ivany, from the far side of the right circle, fed Gallant in front of the crease and the latter tipped a shot past Semptimphelter stick side to make it 3-0 at the 16:16 mark.
The Islanders broke through 4:24 into the second period thanks to Veremyev’s first professional goal. After Chase Stillman was assessed a holding-the-stick penalty, Liam Foudy snapped a heavy wrist shot from the left circle into the pads of Murashov, allowing Veremyev to gather the rebound and finish a backhand shot for the power-play goal.
With 26 seconds remaining in the period, Jack Randl brought the puck into the Penguins’ zone, darted through the left circle, and behind the cage. He found Mitton in the right circle, who sniped a shot past Murashov’s glove for his first professional goal in his pro debut.
Calvert gave Wilkes-Barre/Scranton insurance at 13:44 of the third period. Calvert bolted through the left circle and spun around an Islanders’ defender before getting the better of Semptimphelter to expand the Penguins’ lead.
The Islanders pulled Semptimphelter with 1:45 remaining for an extra attacker, but were unable to capitalize, and the Penguins clinched the victory when Hayes scored into the empty net for the 5-2 final.
Bridgeport’s power play went 1-for-3, while the penalty kill was 2-for-2. The Islanders won the shot battle, 32-23.
The Islanders closed out their six-game season series with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 1-4-0-1. Aside from Semptimphelter and Mitton, Cam Berg also made his pro debut on Sunday.
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RECAP: WOLF PACK 5, ISLANDERS 3
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (April 12, 2025) – The Bridgeport Islanders (15-47-4-3), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, stormed back from an early four-goal deficit on Saturday, but came up short in a 5-3 loss to the Hartford Wolf Pack (29-32-7-2) at Total Mortgage Arena.
Brian Pinho scored his team-leading 25th goal of the season, while Tyce Thompson and Alex Jefferies also lit the lamp. Marshall Warren logged two helpers for his third professional multi-point game. Hunter Miska (2-8-0) stopped 22 of the 26 shots he faced.
Noah Laba led Hartford’s offense with a goal and an assist, while Alex Belzile recorded the game winner on the power play. Dylan Roobroeck, Jake Leschyshyn, and Jackson Dorrington (empty net) also scored. Callum Tung (1-1-0) registered his first pro win, but left early in the second period with a lower-body injury. He made 11 saves on 12 shots in 21:19 of work.
Hartford got off to a hot start, potting three goals in the opening eight and a half minutes. Roobroeck made it 1-0 just 1:10 in after his cross-ice pass meant for Belzile hit an Islanders’ skate and redirected under Miska.
Laba swept Casey Fitzgerald’s rebound behind Miska at the 5:52 mark to make it 2-0 before Leschyshyn tipped Connor Mackey’s chance from the blue line at 8:27, giving Hartford the early three-goal advantage.
At 17:14, Joey Larson was assessed a hooking penalty and Hartford capitalized 11 seconds later when Brendan Brisson fed the puck to Belzile, who got the better of Miska on a wrister for his sixth power-play goal.
Thompson put the Islanders on the board 26 seconds later with his eighth goal of the season, and his first in nine games. After Warren launched a wrist shot into Tung’s pads, Thompson recovered the rebound and flipped a backhand shot over Tung’s left blocker to make it 4-1.
At 1:19 of the second period, Tung went to make a diving save on another lengthy shot from Warren and suffered an injury that caused him to exit the game. Talyn Boyko (no decision) entered in relief for Hartford and made 20 saves in the final 38:41.
The Islanders kept their momentum alive from Thompson’s goal, racking up two goals in a span of 1:04 early in the second. Warren sent a brilliant centering pass to Pinho at the doorstep, where he redirected home his 25th goal of the season from the side of the crease at 3:53. Shortly after, Jefferies gathered Liam Foudy’s pass down the right wing, skated through the circle, and beat Boyko at 4:53 to make it 4-3. It was Jefferies’ 12th goal of the year.
Bridgeport applied even heavier pressure through the rest of the second period and into the third, but couldn’t pull back even. Instead, Hartford clinched its victory with 21 seconds remaining when Dorrington scored into an empty net for his first professional goal.
Tempers boiled over following Dorrington’s goal which led to chaos in front of Hartford’s bench and 142 combined penalties minutes handed out in the final half minute.
Bridgeport’s power play went 0-for-4, while the penalty kill was 3-for-4.
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BRIDGEPORT ISLANDERS SIGN T.J. SEMPTIMPHELTER
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (April 12, 2025) – The Bridgeport Islanders, American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, have signed goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter to an amateur tryout agreement (ATO).
Semptimphelter, 22, played 31 games at the University of North Dakota earlier this season, recording a career-high 18 wins. He went 18-11-2 with the Fighting Hawks and posted a 2.64 goals-against-average, .910 save percentage, and one shutout. He also played two seasons of college hockey at Arizona State University from 2022-24, and one season at Northeastern University in 2021-22.
The Marlton, N.J. native played a career-high 36 games with Arizona State in 2022-23 and was nominated for both the Mike Richter Award (NCAA Top Collegiate Goaltender) and the Hobey Baker Award (NCAA Top Collegiate Player). He ranked top-5 in the nation for minutes played, saves, and shutouts that season. Semptimphelter had a 2.84 goals-against-average, .913 save percentage, and posted a career-high five shutouts.
Semptimphelter left Arizona State as one of the best goaltenders in program history, ranking second in appearances (61), starts (60), minutes played (3453:44), wins (30), saves (1,603) and goals-against-average (2.72). His eight career shutouts are tied for first and his .911 save percentage is third.
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CHRIS TERRY BREAKS BRIDGEPORT’S FRANCHISE SCORING RECORD
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (April 9, 2025) – Chris Terry has more points than any other player in Bridgeport hockey history.
Terry, in his third season with the Islanders, recorded one assist against Hartford on Wednesday, setting the new franchise scoring record with 204 career points, eclipsing the previous mark that had stood since 2012.
The prior record – 203 points – was held by Jeremy Colliton, who recorded his last two points for Bridgeport with a pair of goals on Mar. 4, 2012 at Providence. Colliton offered Terry a congratulatory video message.
“I’m proud of it,” Terry said. “It’s obviously not something you start your hockey career ever setting out as a goal to reach. This is a great place to play and I’m fortunate being surrounded by great teammates, coaches, our staff, and the fans.”
Terry initially joined Bridgeport ahead of the 2021-22 season, hitting the 30-goal mark for the fourth time in his career during his first stint with the Islanders. He set the franchise records for most points (78) and assists (51) in a single season in 2022-23. After spending the 2023-24 campaign with the Chicago Wolves and serving as their captain, Terry returned to Bridgeport this past offseason.
Terry is a five-time American Hockey League All-Star and the League’s active all-time leader in goals and points. He has 806 points (330 goals, 476 assists) in 881 career AHL games with the Islanders, Chicago Wolves, Grand Rapids Griffins, Laval Rocket, St. John’s IceCaps, Charlotte Checkers, and Albany River Rats. He ranks 11th in AHL history in goals, 12th in points, tied for 17th in assists, and 21st in games played.
Terry, who turned 36 years old on Monday, became the 12th player in AHL history to record 800 career points on Mar. 22.
BRIDGEPORT’S ALL-TIME POINTS LEADERS
Chris Terry (204)
2. Jeremy Colliton (203)
3. Otto Koivula (179)
4. Rob Collins (163)
5. Jeff Hamilton (156)
6. Steven Regier (150)
7. Trevor Smith (149)
8. Tanner Fritz (142)
9. Jeff Tambellini (138)
10. Alan Quine (137)
BRIDGEPORT’S ALL-TIME ASSISTS LEADERS
Chris Terry (128)
2. Jeremy Colliton (126)
3. Otto Koivula (114)
4. Rob Collins (110)
5. Aaron Ness (100)
6. Tanner Fritz (95)
7. Josh Ho-Sang (91)
8. Steven Regier (89)
9. Mark Wotton (88)
10. Matt Donovan (87)
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RECAP: WOLF PACK 3, ISLANDERS 2
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (April 9, 2025) – Joey Larson recorded his first two professional goals and Chris Terry broke the franchise scoring record with an assist on Wednesday, but Bridgeport Islanders (15-46-4-3), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, came up short in a 3-2 loss to the Hartford Wolf Pack (28-31-7-2) at Total Mortgage Arena.
Dylan Roobroeck made the difference for Hartford, registering two goals in the final five minutes of the second period. Jaroslav Chmelar also found the back of the net, while Nathan Sucese logged two helpers. Talyn Boyko (2-1-0) made 26 saves.
Since making his professional debut on Saturday against the Checkers, Larson has three points (2g, 1a) in two games. Terry’s assist on Larson’s second goal in the middle frame moved him past Jeremy Colliton, who held the previous team record with 203 career points. Terry has accumulated six assists over the last five games.
Tristan Lennox (0-3-0) blocked 20 of the 23 shots he faced.
Chmelar got the Wolf Pack on the board with a power-play goal just 8:04 into the first period. At 6:32, Gleb Veremyev was sent to the box for high-sticking, and 1:32 later, Sucese found Chmelar near the blue line. Chmelar cut through the right circle to the doorstep and flipped a backhand shot over Lennox for his 11th goal of the season.
The Islanders struck back 50 seconds later thanks to Larson’s first professional goal. Jesse Pulkkinen advanced the puck from the red line into Hartford territory, where Isaiah George settled it and left a pass for Larson, who muscled off a Wolf Pack defender and slipped a quick shot under Boyko to make it 1-1.
Roobroeck gave the lead back to Hartford late in the second period, racking up two goals in a 4:16 span. Sucese found Roobroeck on a cross-ice pass at 15:33, allowing Roobroeck to snap a quick shot from the left hash marks past Lennox to make it 2-1. Brian Pinho was called for slashing shortly after, and Roobroeck swept Alex Belzile’s rebound into the back of the net for another power-play goal at 18:50.
The Islanders got back to within shouting distance early in the third period. Just 1:38 in, Chmelar was assessed an interference penalty and Bridgeport benefited 15 seconds later when Terry pushed the puck to Pinho in the slot, who found Larson wide open in the left circle. Larson launched a one-timer into the back of the cage for the power-play goal and his second of the contest. With the secondary assist, Terry recorded his 204th career point with Bridgeport, passing Colliton for most points in team history.
The Islanders pulled Lennox for an extra attacker with 90 seconds to play, but were unable to capitalize, as Hartford held on for the 3-2 final.
Bridgeport’s power play went 2-for-4, while the penalty kill was 2-for-3. The Islanders outshot the Wolf Pack 28-23.
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RECAP: CHECKERS 5, ISLANDERS 2
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (April 5, 2025) – Chris Terry set up two goals to break the franchise record for assists, and tie the all-time record for points, as the Bridgeport Islanders (15-45-4-3), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, suffered a 5-2 loss to the Charlotte Checkers (39-21-3-3) at Total Mortgage Arena on Saturday.
Sam Bolduc and Joey Larson each scored for the Islanders, but Larson’s goal is under review and may be credited to Brian Pinho. Either way, Larson recorded a point in his professional debut.
Liam McLinskey also put on a show in his pro debut, notching a goal and an assist. C.J. Smith and Ben Steeves also recorded one goal and one assist, while Sandis Vilmanis logged two helpers. Former Bridgeport netminder Ken Appleby (14-8-1) blocked 31 of the 33 shots he faced for Charlotte.
The first period was defined by great goaltending from both sides. Tristan Lennox (0-2-0), in his first appearance at Total Mortgage Arena and his first start since March 5 in Hartford, had 11 saves including an incredible glove stop on Wilmer Skoog’s rebound chance near the crease. Appleby stopped all 13 shots he faced in the opening 20 minutes.
John Leonard broke the scoreless stalemate 1:04 into the second period with a shorthanded goal. Despite Charlotte being a man down due to Riley Hughes serving a hooking penalty, Leonard took a pass from Marek Alscher, closed in on Lennox, and fired a quick shot from the doorstep to make it 1-0.
The Islanders responded 4:19 later with a power-play goal for the third straight contest. After Ben Steeves was assessed a hooking penalty, the Islanders won the ensuing face-off and Terry found Bolduc near the blue line. Bolduc launched a wrist shot into the back of the net for his sixth power-play tally and his ninth goal of the season overall, knotting the score at 1-1.
The Checkers regained the lead and never looked back, tallying two goals in a 4:51 span. Oliver Okuliar blasted a one-timer from the hash marks for the eventual game winner at 8:46, before Smith snapped a quick shot past Lennox at 13:37 to give Charlotte the 3-1 advantage.
With just 10.6 seconds left in the frame, Smith drilled the puck from the blue line into Lennox’s pads, but McLinskey recovered the rebound and buried it in the back of the net for his first pro goal.
At 14:53 of the third period, Steeves added insurance for the Checkers, scoring his 10th goal of the season to make it 5-1.
The Islanders showed some fight with less than two minutes to play when Larson’s centering feed from the right circle deflected off something in front, potentially Pinho’s skate, and filtered past Appleby. Terry was credited with an assist, his 127th career helper with Bridgeport, passing Jeremy Colliton for the franchise record. It also tied Colliton’s club record for points (203).
Bridgeport’s power play went 1-for-5, while the penalty kill went 3-for-3. The Islanders won the shot battle, 33-29.
Bridgeport finished its eight-game season series against Charlotte 2-5-0-1.
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BRIDGEPORT ISLANDERS SIGN ROSS MITTON
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (April 3, 2025) –
The Bridgeport Islanders, American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, have signed forward Ross Mitton to an amateur tryout agreement (ATO).
Mitton, 24, had 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 32 games with the University of Maine during his fifth and final collegiate season earlier this year. Prior to joining the Black Bears, he spent four seasons at Colgate University, recording 72 points (26 goals, 46 assists) in 130 games with the Raiders. Mitton posted career highs in goals (11), assists (19), and points (30) during his senior season at Colgate in 2023-24.
A native of Manhasset, N.Y., Mitton played 132 games in the United States Hockey League (USHL) between the Fargo Force, Lincoln Stars, and Omaha Lancers from 2017-20. He helped Fargo win the 2017 USHL Clark Cup championship.
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RECAP: PHANTOMS 4, ISLANDERS 1
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (April 2, 2025) – Calle Odelius scored his first career AHL goal on Wednesday morning, but the Bridgeport Islanders (15-44-4-3), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, suffered a 4-1 loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (33-26-5-2) in front of 6,843 fans at Total Mortgage Arena.
Alexis Gendron scored the eventual game-winning goal when he converted late in the first period. Anthony Richard, Jon-Randall Avon, and Ethan Samson also registered a goal for Lehigh Valley. Adam Ginning logged two helpers, while Parker Gahagen (11-3-2) stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced.
Hunter Miska (2-7-0) made 25 saves for the Islanders.
The Phantoms jumped out to a 4-0 lead and never looked back. Richard gave Lehigh Valley an early advantage 2:43 into the first period when he intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and darted through the left circle. He slipped a shot under Miska’s pads from just above the crease to make it 1-0.
At the 15:47 mark, Garrett Wilson settled the puck near the end boards and found Gendron at the doorstep. Gendron got around Sam Bolduc and lifted a wrist shot into the top left corner to make it 2-0.
The Phantoms started the second period right where they left off in the first, potting two goals in a 3:39 span. Avon redirected Rhett Gardner’s left-wing shot at 6:32 to make it 3-0 before Samson lasered a wrist shot past Miska from the right circle to extend Lehigh Valley’s lead at 10:11.
Odelius got the Islanders on the board 17:51 into the second period with a power-play goal. After Samson was accessed a slashing penalty, Alex Jefferies found Odelius near the blue line, where he hammered a one-timer through traffic and past Gahagen’s blocker for his first AHL goal. Matt Maggio collected the secondary assist.
Despite having chances in the third period, including two power-play opportunities, the Islanders could not come back. Bridgeport’s power play went 1-for-5, while the penalty kill went 2-for-2. Lehigh Valley led in shots, 29-26.
The Islanders finished their six-game series with the Phantoms 1-5-0-0.
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BRIDGEPORT ISLANDERS SIGN CAM BERG
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (April 1, 2025) – The Bridgeport Islanders, American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, have signed forward Cam Berg to an amateur tryout agreement (ATO).
Berg, 23, spent each of the last two seasons at the University of North Dakota, recording 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) in 26 games during his senior campaign, while serving as an alternate captain.
A native of West Fargo, N.D., Berg set career highs in goals (20), assists (17), points (37) and games played (40) as a junior at North Dakota in 2023-24. He ranked second on the Fighting Hawks in goals and third in points. Berg had 47 points (18 goals, 29 assists) in 74 games during his first two college seasons at the University of Nebraska-Omaha from 2021-2023.
He was selected by the New York Islanders in the fourth round (125th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft.
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NEW YORK ISLANDERS SIGN JOEY LARSON
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (March 31, 2025) – The New York Islanders have signed Joey Larson to a one-year entry-level contract that will begin in the 2025-26 season.
Larson, 24, previously scored a total of 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 37 games this season while playing as a junior at Michigan State University. Over two seasons with the Spartans, the 6’1”, 196-pound forward has appeared in 75 games, accumulating 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists). Before transferring to Michigan State, Larson had a strong freshman year at Northern Michigan University, where he registered 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 36 games and earned a spot on the Central Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie Team.
A native of Brighton, Michigan, Larson played junior hockey for the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Lincoln Stars in the United States Hockey League, as well as the New Mexico Ice Wolves in the North American Hockey League. During the 2021-22 season with Muskegon, he achieved a junior career-high of 66 points (32 goals, 34 assists) in 61 games.
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ISLANDERS LOSE TO HERSEY BEARS 4-1
By: Alan Fuehring, Bridgeport Islanders
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (March 26, 2025) – The Bridgeport Islanders (14-42-4-3), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, fell to the Hershey Bears (39-16-6-1), 4-1, at Total Mortgage Arena on Wednesday, despite Cole Bardreau’s second-period shorthanded goal.
Pierrick Dube potted a pair of goals to lead Hershey, while Ivan Miroshnichenko and Mike Vecchione also found the back of the net. Hendrix Lapierre logged three helpers and Garrett Roe had two assists. Garin Bjorklund (1-0-0) blocked 26 of the 27 shots he faced in his AHL debut.
It was Bardreau’s fourth goal of the season and his first shorthanded. It was also the seventh time the Islanders have scored a shorthanded marker this season.
Hershey took control right off the bat, racking up three goals in the opening 12 minutes, with their first tally coming 49 seconds into the contest. After Marshall Warren lost the puck, Miroshnichenko swiped it ahead and skated into the Islanders’ zone on a breakaway. Bearing down on Henrik Tikkanen (6-17-3), he slipped a backhand shot five-hole to make it 1-0.
At the 7:33 mark, Grant Hutton was accessed a delay-of-game penalty, putting Hershey on its second power play. They capitalized 56 seconds later when Lapierre received a pass from Ethan Bear near the goal line and pushed the puck towards the crease. It hit Vecchione’s stick and redirected into the back of the net for the eventual game winner.
Less than three minutes later, Garrett Roe fed a short pass to Dube, who sniped home a wrist shot from the left circle to expand Hershey’s lead.
Bardreau got the Islanders on the board 15:34 into the second period to hand Bjorklund his only blemish of the night. Despite being down a man due to Tyce Thompson’s roughing penalty, Bardreau intercepted a Bears’ pass and darted into the offensive zone. He pulled ahead of the last defenseman for a partial breakaway before beating Bjorklund on the forehand to make it 3-1.
The Bears sealed the victory when Dube flipped the puck from his own zone into the Islanders’ empty net for the 4-1 final. It came with just 2:30 to play.
Bridgeport’s power play went 0-for-1 on the night, while the penalty kill was 2-for-3. The Bears won the shot battle, 30-27. Hershey also completed the six-game season series 5-1-0-0.
Next Time Out: The Islanders face the Rochester Americans at 7:05 p.m. on Friday from Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, N.Y. The game can be seen live on AHLTV on FloHockey.
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