The win gives the Islanders sole possession of fifth place in the Atlantic Division and moves them two points clear of the Hershey Bears for fourth.
No goals were scored for either team in the first period, but the Islanders peppered Jakub Malek with seventeen shots on goal in the first twenty minutes of the game.
Matthew Maggio wasted little time in the second period, breaking the ice 2:41 into the middle frame after picking up a loose puck pushed away by Pierrick Dube and flipping Malek over his shoulder.
Just 91 seconds into the third period, the Comets tied the game when Marc McLaughlin recovered a rebound in the slot and scored for his second goal in as many games this season.
The Islanders responded 13:29 into the third period when the streaking Alex Jefferies found Highmore in front of the Utica net, who tapped in his eighth of the season to give Bridgeport a 2-0 lead.
The Islanders begin a three-game weekend, heading to Springfield on Feb. 20 for a 7:05 puck drop, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Feb. 21 at 6:05 p.m., then welcoming the Penguins to Total Mortgage Arena on Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at https://www.bridgeportislanders.com/.
Comments
- The Islanders improve to 6-4-0-1 against North Division opponents this season.
- Highmore’s goal was his third in his last two games, the most he has scored in consecutive games this season.
- Bridgeport is 6-3-0-0 when Maggio scores a goal and has won four straight when the 23-year-old center lights the lamp.
- The Islanders are 6-1-0-0 when Ethan Bear records a point. He scored two assists in tonight’s game and now has five points in as many games against the Comets in his career.
- The Islanders’ 17 shots in the first period are the second-most they have made in any period this season.
Connect with the Bridgeport Islanders
#Islanders #survive #comets #earn #victory #Pro #Hockey #News