BRIDGEPORT — Dogs traded in their tree branch sticks and balls for hockey sticks and pucks ... and drool was cool when the annual Pucks & Paws Bridgeport Islanders hockey game took place at Total Mortgage Arena on March 9.

Fans were invited to bring their canines to walk the concourse and sit in the stands to enjoy all of the fast-paced action on the ice surface. The Islanders’ 5-2 loss to the Springfield Thunderbirds was of no concern to the furry four-legged fans who got to sniff some unfamiliar scents — concession stands for one — and socialize with other pets while their owners took in an exciting game.

From lap dogs to Doberman Pinschers and Black Labrador Retrievers (who thought they were lap dogs) there were quite a variety of pooches on hand. Man’s best friend and man’s fastest team sport came together for a unique experience beginning with the ceremonial puck drop as BB, a hound mix rescued by Stamford-based Lucky Dog Refuge (luckydogrefuge.com), took part in the center ice pregame event.

Newtown’s Steve and Jodi Klein, who heard about this special game in The Bee, are hockey fans and saw this as a great opportunity to introduce their lovable mutt Petunia (aka Tunes) to the sport they love. Tunes was already somewhat familiar with hockey given her owners root for the Washington Capitals and she is given a dog treat any time the Caps score when they watch a game on television together.

“This is her first hockey game — she loves it,” Steve said.

The Gardecki family, also of Newtown — longtime Bridgeport hockey fans dating back to the inaugural 2001-02 season when the team was called the Sound Tigers — brought their pet, Milo.

During game stoppages the canine theme continued with famous dog trivia contests shown on the jumbo video scoreboard.

Outrider Dogs, specializing in rehab and rescue, from Avon (outriderdogs.com), was on hand to show off some puppies available for adoption.

“Everyone loves puppies,” said Ben Garson, owner/trainer for Outrider, who helped dog owners get their hesitant (or stubborn) pets to go over a ramp and through a mini tunnel as part of a doggie obstacle course on site.

Outrider, dedicated to finding homes for abandoned and neglected dogs, and which provides training classes — including in home sessions — was on hand to get its name out there and mingle with fans.

“It’s pretty cool,” Outrider President/Co-Founder Rikki Garson said. “I like it.”

And the dogs did, too.

Until the next Pucks & Paws hockey game there are plenty of opportunities for dog owners to watch the Islanders play, including home games when Springfield comes back on Saturday, March 22 at 5 pm, Wilkes-Barre Scranton visits Sunday, March 23 at 3 pm, and when Hershey comes to town Wednesday, March 26 at 7 pm. For more information, visit bridgeportislanders.com.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.