The Bridgeport Islanders had a tough weekend as they dropped a pair of games to the Charlotte Checkers, now owning a 2-4-1 record.
The Bridgeport Islanders had a tough weekend as they dropped a pair of games to the Charlotte Checkers, now owning a 2-4-1 record.
First, it was a 5-2 loss on Friday night with Jakub Skarek in goal. Saturday, it was a 2-0 shutout loss, with Ken Appleby in between the pipes.
FRIDAY
William Dufour scored his first goal of the 2023-24 AHL season Friday following a well-executed give-and-go play between Dufour and Ruslan Iskhakov on the power play to put Bridgeport on the board in the first period.
Dufour has a goal and an assist in seven games.
Samuel Asselin, a Bridgeport newcomer this season, scored his first goal for the organization after spending four years with the Providence Bruins, the Boston Bruins AHL affiliate.
Both goals came on the power play, going 2-for-6 on the night.
Iskhakov tallied two assists and now has two goals and six assists (eight points) through seven games so far.
Skarek stopped 25 of 29 shots before an empty-net goal sealed the deal, as his record shifts to 2-2-1.
SATURDAY
Appleby made his second start of the season which also turned out to be his second loss.
The 28-year-old kept his team in it, earning third-star accolades after stopping 31- of 33, but no offense meant no chance at a “W.”
Both of Charlotte's goals came in the first period. After a stronger showing of the middle frame, the Islanders were outshot 11-4 in the third.
Appleby is 0-2-0 to start his season.
The Islanders had their chances to score, but going 0-for-7 on the power play didn’t do them any favors.
UP NEXT: This weekend, Bridgeport has back-to-back games, one on the road and one at home. Saturday, it’s a 7 pm puck drop at the Giant Center against the Hershey Bears. Sunday, it’s a 3 pm start at Total Mortgage Arena against the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Brendan Yerkes contributed to this report.