Bridgeport, CT – The Bridgeport Islanders didn’t have much time to dwell on their encouraging but disappointing overtime loss to Providence in the home opener as they were right back at it on Sunday afternoon against the Belleville Senators. Rocky Thompson’s club quickly turned the page, with a fast start and a two-goal performance from Marshall Warren propelling the Islanders to a 6-2 victory for Thompson’s first at the helm.
Belleville seemed eager to start stronger than it did Saturday night, when they trailed Lehigh Valley 4-0 before ultimately falling 5-2. They seemed to do just that, as Tyler Boucher’s one-timer between hashes beat Parker Gahagen just 1:13 into the match.
However, the islanders responded quickly. Matthew Highmore’s drop pass at the left circle found Warren, who fired home his first of the season at 3:26.
Bridgeport kept the Belleville defense on its heels with four shots in 15 seconds of the ensuing faceoff, the last of which was a Cole McWard wrister from the point that beat Hunter Shepard on the glove side for his second of the young campaign at 4:41.
Belleville tied the game at 17:21, when Carter Yakemchuk unleashed a rocket from the right hash for the defenseman’s first AHL goal.
The exciting opening frame ended with the Islanders’ first power play goal of the season. Joey Larson found Hunter Drew among the hashes and he buried a backhander at 7:19 to make it 3-2.
A highly competitive mid-table set the stage for a crucial third place finish, with both teams looking for their first win. At 12:04 of the final frame, Warren continued his red-hot start to the season with a wrister from the point that found the back of the net, his second of the night, giving Bridgeport a 4-2 lead.
Belleville pulled its netminder after three minutes in hopes of a comeback, but Max Dorrington’s first professional goal at 5:24 and Liam Foudy’s first of the season at 7:21 ended those hopes.
The Islanders return home next weekend for back-to-back matchups at Total Mortgage Arena, hosting the Providence Bruins on Friday, October 17 and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday, October 18. Both games are scheduled for a 7 p.m. puck drop. Ticket information can be found at bridgeportislanders.com.
Notables
The win marks Rocky Thompson’s first as head coach of the Bridgeport Islanders.
The Islanders defeated Belleville for the first time since Nov. 26, 2023, ending a five-game skid.
Liam Foudy extended his points streak to six games (1 G, 7 A), dating back to last season, with a goal and assist in today’s match.
Marshall Warren set new career highs with two goals and three points in the game.
Max Dorrington recorded his first professional point with a goal. The 24-year-old forward has now played nine games – all with Bridgeport – and has collected two points.
Related
#Islanders #strangle #Belleville #Pro #Hockey #News