BRIDGEPORT, Conn – The Sound Tigers finished with the best regular-season record in the franchise’s eight-year history, clinching their first Calder Cup playoff berth since 2006 and a first-round date with the Wilkes-Barre/Scanton Penguins. It will be the third playoff series meeting between the teams; the Penguins won seven-game series against the Sound Tigers in 2002 and 2004.
Bridgeport enters the playoffs on a roll, winning its last five games. Because of scheduling conflicts at its home rink, the team will play its first two home playoff games April 17 and 18 at the Nassau Coliseum, home of the parent New York Islanders.
Thirty-goal-scorer Trevor Smith and defenseman Jack Hillen are eligible to join the team from the Islanders, as is promising NHL rookie forward Kyle Okposo – unless he’s selected to play for the United States in the upcoming world championships. Regardless, Bridgeport can count on production from Mike Iggulden (25-41-66), Finnish rookie Jesse Joensuu (20-19-39) and perennial 20-goal man Ben Walter (20-30-50).
In goal, Nathan Lawson will try to build on a strong freshman campaign that saw him named to the AHL all-rookie team and finish with a record of 19-9-2, a goals against of 2.16 and a 92.7 percent save percentage.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (49-25-3-3, 104 pts.)
Under head coach Dan Bylsma, the Penguins employed a high-energy attack to great effect, driving opponents to distraction with upbeat, physical play. That’s continued now that Bylsma has moved on to the parent Pittsburgh Penguins, leaving his successor, Todd Reirden, in charge of one of the east’s grittiest teams.
The Penguins boast the AHL’s plus-minus leader in defenseman Ben Lovejoy, a second team all-star who’s still developing in his third pro season. Goaltender John Curry set a franchise record for wins in a single season, with 33 while posting a 2.38 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. “When all the chips are down, this is the guy that stands up for you,” Reirden said.
The Baby Pens will be without NHL veteran Miroslav Satan, who was recalled by the parent club in Pittsburgh for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is making its seventh consecutive appearance in the Calder Cup playoffs and its eighth postseason trip in the franchise’s 10-year history.
Care to write for Pro Hockey News? Contact comment@prohockeynews.com
Catch all the playoffs at Intotheboards.net
You must be logged in to post a comment.