Isles lose on penalties to Thunderbirds, 5-4 | Pro Hockey News

Springfield, Mass. – Heading into a weekend against Atlantic Division opponents, the Bridgeport Islanders realized important points were at stake in the standings. Friday night they battled the Springfield Thunderbirds against a team that was nipping at their heels in a race for a playoff spot. With the match tied after regulation and overtime, the game went to a shootout with the Thunderbirds scoring the only goal in three rounds and the Isles taking a point in the 5-4 loss.

During the opening period, the Thunderbirds scored first at 14:54 when Thomas Bordeleau defeated Marcus Hogberg to leave the Isles up 1-0. The Thunderbirds added a power-play goal at 16:10 after Aleksanteri Kaskimaki scored to make it 2-0. Julien Gauthier took advantage of a Springfield turnover to cut the deficit in half on a power play. Gauthier scored his 4^eof the season and after twenty minutes the match was 2-1.

In the middle frame, Springfield went up 3-1 after Aleksantari Kaskamaki scored at 6:53 on a turnover in Bridgeport’s neutral zone.

During the final period, Hunter Drew cut the game to a 3-2 deficit at 5:02 after taking CJ Smith’s perfect pass. It was Drew’s 13th^e goal of the season. Liam Foudy leveled the match when his wrist shot at 8:42 beat goalkeeper Vadim Zherenko in front of his 18^e of the season, making the match 3-3. Pierrick Dube scored at 11:31 to make the game 4-3 on his second of the season. Hugh McGing tied the game at 14:28 and netted a rebound, tying the game at 4-4.

No one scored during extra time and in the shotout the only goal was scored by Thomas Bordeleau, making it a 5-4 decision.

The Isles are back on the ice tomorrow at 6:05 PM against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins before returning to Total Mortgage Arena on Sunday for a 5:00 PM rematch against the Penguins. There are still nice seats available. Please visit www.bridgeportislanders.com for more information.

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