Unbeaten In Regulation

In 12 Straight Games

The Sound Tigers beat the Binghamton Senators 2-1 at home Sunday to tie the all-time franchise record for the longest unbeaten-in-regulation streak. They have not lost in regulation in 12 straight games, going 10-0-1-1 in that time.

The Sound Tigers are also on a six-game winning streak and are unbeaten in any manner in their last ten games at 9-0-1. They finished last week tied with Binghamton for second place in the East Division with 24 points and a 10-3-3-1 record, including 5-2-1-1 at home and 5-1-2 on the road. The Sound Tigers also finished last week tied with the Rochester Americans for the fewest goals against per game, 1.71, in the league.

On Sunday, the Sound Tigers – for the third time in as many games – rallied from a second-period deficit and defeated Binghamton to win, 2-1. Kevin Colley tied the score at one 7:38 into the middle frame with his second goal of the season, his first-ever at Bridgeport’s Arena at Harbor Yard, and Jeff Hamilton gave the Sound Tigers their first lead of the contest 4:58 into the third period. Hamilton’s goal was his eighth on the power play and 13th overall (both AHL highs). Dieter Kochan made 16 saves.

The Sound Tigers were 1-for-5 on the power play, 5-for-5 on the penalty kill and had a 25-17 shots on goal advantage.

Player of the Week –

G Dieter Kochan

Kochan improved his personal unbeaten-in-regulation streak to eight games at 5-0-2-1 with a 16-save win Sunday, including a highlight-reel, over-the-head kick save on Josh Langfeld, who has since been recalled by the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. Kochan is 5-2-3 in ten games this season and ranks fourth among all AHL goaltenders with a 1.61 goals against average. He also has a .936 save percentage and one shutout this season.

 

Records Targeted In

Three-Game Holiday Week

The Sound Tigers will attempt to set new franchise records for the longest unbeaten-in-regulation streak, currently tied at 10-0-1-1, and longest such road streak, currently tied at 5-0-1, when they visit Binghamton this Thursday in the AHL’s only Thanksgiving Night game.

The Sound Tigers will also host the Hartford Wolf Pack Friday and visit the Lowell Lock Monsters Saturday.

The game with Binghamton will be the fourth of eight meetings between the two clubs and the first of four in Binghamton. The Sound Tigers are 5-3-1 all-time, including 2-1 this season, versus the Senators. The Sound Tigers are 12-8-2 all-time, 0-1-1 with an overtime loss this season, versus the Hartford Wolfpack, currently tied for first with Manchester in the Atlantic Division at 9-3-4-1. And the Sound Tigers are 5-2 all-time, 1-0 this year, versus the Lowell, currently in sixth place in the Atlantic Division at 7-7-2-0.

 

Sound Tigers On The Air

All Sound Tigers’ games are web cast live on the Internet at www.soundtigers.com. Most games are also broadcast live on 600 WICC-AM. Both of this weekend’s road games will be broadcast live on WICC.

Team Leaders

Goals – Jeff Hamilton 13; Assists – Brandon Smith 8; Points – Jeff Hamilton 18; Plus/Minus – Alain Nasreddine +10 (best in the AHL); Penalty Minutes – Graham Belak 50; Wins – Dieter Kochan and Wade Dubielewicz 5; GAA – Dieter Kochan 1.61; Save Percentage – Dieter Kochan .936.

 

Streaks

The Sound Tigers have won six games in a row and are unbeaten-in-regulation in seven straight home games (5-0-1-1), six straight road games (5-0-1) and 12 games in a row overall (10-0-1-1) … They have scored on the power play in six straight games, going 7-for-31 (22.6%) and posting a 6-0 record in that time … G Dieter Kochan is unbeaten-in-regulation (5-0-2-1) in his last eight games … G Wade Dubielewicz is on a five-game winning streak … D Brandon Smith is on a three-game assist streak  and a five-game point streak … C Kevin Colley is on a three-game point streak … RW/C Jeff Hamilton is on a two-game, power-play goal streak.

 

Transactions

D Mattias Timander joined C Justin Mapletoft on recall to the Islanders last Tuesday and scored the go-ahead goal in Islander’s 4-1 road win over the Florida Panthers last Wednesday.

 

Community Calendar

LW/D Graham Belak will sign autographs following this Friday’s game … Team Mascot Storm will help the Milford Fire Department collect toys for “Toys for Tots” this Saturday from 1:30 until 3 pm in the food court of the Westfield Shoppingtown Post Mall in Milford. Everyone who donates a toy will have a chance to win tickets to an upcoming Sound Tigers home game or a poster signed by former Sound Tigers and current Islanders Trent Hunter and Justin Mapletoft … The Sound Tigers Team Shop will be open for extended holiday hours from December 4 through Christmas Eve. Located just around the corner from the Harbor Yard box office, The Sound Tigers Team Shop offers souvenirs, apparel, gift certificates and more. Holiday hours will be 9 am until 6 pm Monday through Friday, 9 am until 8 pm Thursdays, 10 am to 5 pm Saturdays and 10 am to 2 pm on Sundays. Call 203-334-GOAL … Saturday, December 6 will by “Polish Pride Night” when the Sound Tigers host the Hershey Bears … the Sound Tigers will host a charity hockey game between the Bridgeport and Hartford Fire Departments on Sunday, December 7 at 1 pm. Proceeds will benefit “Swim Across The Sound” … Fans will have the opportunity to shoot to win a car courtesy of Crabtree Automall and a Thule car rack on Sunday, December 7 when the Sound Tigers host Hartford … December 7 will also be “Police & Firefighter Appreciation Night” and “New Haven County Appreciation Night.” Specially-priced tickets will be available by calling 203-334-GOAL. Former New Haven hockey players, including former Nighthawk Tom Colley, whose son Kevin is a current Sound Tiger, will be honored … The first two-thousand fans who enter the Wednesday, December 10game versus the Utah Grizzlies will receive the second of five Sound Tiger player card sets courtesy of The Sound Tigers Team Shop … The second of this season’s five “Family Four Pack Nights” will be Friday, December 13 when the Sound Tigers host Manchester. Family Four Packs include four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for $55 and can be ordered by calling 203-334-GOAL … Weekly Reader will present “Cool Fun 101” when the Sound Tigers host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday, December 17 at 11:05 am in an educationally-themed matinee.

NOTE: The Bridgeport Sound Tigers play in the American Hockey League and are an affiliate of the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders.