Islanders Complete Comeback, Win 3-2

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Squaring off against the Laval Rocket for a pivotal non-divisional showdown, the Bridgeport Islanders forced overtime with a goal late into the third period before Victor Eklund completed the comeback with the lone shootout goal in his North American debut as Bridgeport escaped with a 3-2 victory.

It wouldn't take long for the Islanders to take the lead. Adam Beckman received a pass from Liam Foudy and sniped home his 26th of the season and 100th career AHL goal just 55 seconds into the contest.

Laval responded 30 seconds later as Luke Mittlestadt evened the score with his first professional goal. Laval took its first lead of the night 7:13 into the second period. After reclaiming the puck on a turnover, Samuel Blais' cross-crease pass found Alex Belzile for his 27th of the season.

With the clock winding down, Marshall Warren launched a point shot, which took a favorable bounce and snuck past Kaapo Kahkonen at 16:42 into the third period, tying up the contest and forcing overtime.

After a scoreless overtime, Eklund supplied the lone shootout tally with a snipe over Kahkonen's shoulder.

Victor Eklund skated in his North American debut this evening, recording one shot on goal and the shootout winner.

The Islanders will head to Providence for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop tomorrow against the Bruins before returning home on Wednesday, April 1, at 10:30 a.m. for the second School Day game of the season, when they take on the Hershey Bears. Tickets for Bridgeport’s game against Hershey can be found at bridgeportislanders.com.

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