Preview: Islanders at Phantoms
Mar 23, 2024
THE STORY COMING IN
The Bridgeport Islanders (21-33-6-1) put the finishing touches on a five-game road trip tonight, facing the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (27-24-5-3) at 7:05 p.m. in Allentown, Penn. The Islanders look to end the trip with back-to-back wins following a 2-1 shootout victory against the Utica Comets last night. Julien Gauthier scored his third goal in the last four games, a power-play tally midway through the second period, while Ruslan Iskhakov showcased another masterclass shootout move in the top of the third round. Jakub Skarek was sensational between the pipes, turning aside 35 of 36 shots. He denied former Phantom Kyle Criscuolo on a penalty shot 38 seconds into overtime to backstop his third win in his last four starts. The win snapped the Islanders’ four-game slide and moved them within 13 points of Lehigh Valley for a playoff spot.
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GAME AT A GLANCE
Tonight’s game is the fourth of six meetings between the Islanders and Phantoms this season, and the second of three at PPL Center. Bridgeport is 1-1-0-1 against Lehigh Valley this season, but the road team has won each of the first three tilts. The first three games have all been decided by just one goal. The Islanders earned a 2-1 victory in Allentown on Mar. 2nd but suffered a 4-3 loss at Total Mortgage Arena on Mar. 10th. Lehigh Valley’s Rhett Gardner leads all players in the series with four points (2g, 2a) in three games, while Tyce Thompson (1g, 1a), Dennis Cholowski (2a), and Otto Koivula (2a) all have two points against the Phantoms.
VIEW FROM ALLENTOWN
The Phantoms have won two straight games and are 4-1-0-1 in their last six, advancing into a playoff spot and moving three points ahead of the Springfield Thunderbirds. Lehigh Valley sat idle last night after beating the Thunderbirds head-to-head on Wednesday, 3-1 at home, courtesy of goals from Adam Brooks, Evan Polei and Tanner Laczynski. In fact, Laczynski has scored in three straight games (five goals during that span) and Brooks has points in three in a row (3g, 5a). Brooks had five points (2g, 3a) last Saturday alone in a 5-2 win at Providence.
ROAD WARRIOR
Julien Gauthier has scored in back-to-back games and has three goals in his last four contests, giving him seven points (4g, 3a) in 13 games with Bridgeport. All seven of his points have come on the road, leading all Islanders in scoring on the road since he joined the team in early February. Gauthier, who played his 200th AHL game last Saturday in Belleville, has 112 points (75g, 37a) in the AHL with Bridgeport, Hartford, and Charlotte. The 26-year-old also has 41 points (19g, 22a) in 180 NHL games with the Islanders, Rangers, Senators, and Hurricanes.
JEFFERIES SOLID IN PRO DEBUT
Alex Jefferies, the New York Islanders’ fourth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft (121st overall), made his professional debut last night and recorded the primary assist on Julien Gauthier’s power-play goal in the second period. He also had two shots and fit right in, skating alongside Brian Pinho and Tyce Thompson. The 22-year-old winger signed an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) with Bridgeport on Wednesday after completing his fourth and final season at Merrimack College earlier this month. He recorded 23 points (13g, 10a) in 22 games and earned a Hobey Baker Award nomination, which recognizes the top amateur player in the United States.
AFFILIATES
New York Islanders (29-25-15): Last: 6-3 L at Detroit, last night -- Next: Today vs. Winnipeg, 1 p.m. ET
Worcester Railers (26-28-4-3): Last: 7-3 W at Reading, last night -- Next: Tonight at Reading, 7 p.m. ET