Sports Hockey Catw Sound Tigers

Islanders adding Bruton, who may end up in Bridgeport

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:44:53 UT

The New York Islanders announced that right winger Chris Bruton has agreed to terms on a one-year contract, which could lead him to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the fall. Bruton, 26, began 2011-12 with Alaska (ECHL) before earning a contract with Peoria (AHL), where he had 15 points and 200 penalty minutes in 107 games the past two seasons. He was captain of the 2008 Memorial Cup champion Spokane Chiefs in his last year of junior before playing three years of Canadian college hockey. -- MICHAEL FORNABAIO

McDonald, Cizikas ex-Sound Tigers who've made the big time

Michael Fornabaio — Wed, 1 May 2013 03:39:59 UT

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- All he wanted, he said back on July 2, was a chance. McDonald spent four years in Edmonton's organization, then last year in Pittsburgh's, getting the call for just seven NHL games. [...] he was a leader in Bridgeport during the NHL lockout earlier this season, named captain in mid-December. The Islanders called him up Jan. 13, and he cemented himself with his hard work and grit with ample skill. "There was a little sense of relief, of accomplishment," McDonald said.

Sound Tigers season wrap: Young team grew but not enough

Michael Fornabaio — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:15:00 UT

Five losses and the start of the NHL season later, they were in a dip from which they never fully recovered. Three-(games)-in-three-(nights), bus travel, tough teams, tough schedules, said Matt Watkins, who was named captain on Feb. 22. Goaltending, turnovers, defensive positioning, penalty kill: all had their nights as culprits. In mid-February, Bridgeport tightened up its defensive game, going from being outshot by about one a game to averaging roughly five shots better than its opponents over the last 27 games, shaving about a half a goal a game off its defensive average. Really, of those 32 plus the coaches and the training staff, the only ones who were here in February 2011, before some youngsters trickled in from college and junior, were defenseman Ty Wishart, forward Brett Gallant (who'd just arrived) and equipment manager Leni DiCostanzo. Top defenseman Calvin de Haan dislocated his left shoulder on an innocent-looking play in Game 3 and needed season-ending surgery. In between, Bridgeport played 28 of 32 games without at least one of those top centermen. [...] Casey Cizikas was called up for the last 20 of those 32 games, along with captain Colin McDonald, David Ullstrom and Travis Hamonic as the NHL lockout ended.

College teammates combine for Sound Tigers' game-winner

Michael Fornabaio — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 04:11:00 UT

College teammates combine for Sound Tigers' game-winner Scott Campbell's takeaway set up Wetmore for what turned out to be the game-winner in the Bridgeport Sound Tigers' season finale, a 4-1 win over Portland at Webster Bank Arena. Wetmore helped the school to the NCAA tournament last year and the Frozen Four this year; he signed an AHL contract with Bridgeport for next season and joined the team Friday on an amateur tryout. A mid-season tryout from the ECHL, Campbell established himself as a centerman (that line has been together since mid-January) and on the penalty kill for Bridgeport. Brock Nelson's third-period goal was his 25th, a Bridgeport rookie record; he led the team with 52 points. A key goal and an assist in the final minutes of the first. Defenseman Mike Keenan played a tough game with a fight and some big hits. First Period -- Clackson, Por, major (fighting), 3:09; Keenan, Bpt, major (fighting), 3:09; Brown, Por (check to head), 4:31; Persson, Bpt (slashing), 8:22; Miele, Por (hooking), 8:28. [...] Period -- Mayfield, Bpt (delay of game), 7:30; McMillan, Por (interference), 8:19; Strome, Bpt (hooking), 9:49; Hextall, Por, major (fighting), 11:52; Pedan, Bpt, major (fighting), 11:52; Clackson, Por, major (fighting), 12:51; Clark, Bpt, major (fighting), 12:51; Dziurzynski, Por, minor-major (slashing, fighting), 13:25; Riley, Bpt, major (fighting), 13:25; Keenan, Bpt (holding), 16:00; Ness, Bpt (holding), 17:09; Goncharov, Por (high-sticking), 19:54; Keenan, Bpt (roughing), 19:54. [...] Period --

Sound Tigers blanked in Nilsson's return to goal

Michael Fornabaio — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:42:42 UT

Sound Tigers blanked in Nilsson's return to goal Nilsson's second North American pro season detoured twice, once at the start and again at the all-star break, when he found he lacked energy, couldn't push himself physically. Tests revealed nothing seriously wrong but left it a mystery. Treatment with vitamins helped. Saturday, in Bridgeport's first game since being eliminated from the playoff race, he got the call in front of a crowd of 4,298. "Always, when it's been a while since you played, you feel rusty with some small things," Nilsson said. The Bruins rested some of their top players after clinching the league's best record Friday, including the AHL's goalie of the year, Niklas Svedberg; Michael Hutchinson got himself a 37-save shutout. Nilsson got a piece of the shot -- and on a three-on-two finished off with Jared Knight's first pro goal, as well as Kyle MacKinnon's empty-netter. Coach Scott Pellerin said he was undecided on a goaltender for Sunday's season finale. First Period -- [...] Period -- [...] Period --