Islanders Fall 3-1 to Sabres The Bridgeport Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/players/ruslan-iskhakov-bridgeport-islanders-new-york-islanders-rick-kowalsky] went 1-1-1 this past week after a 4-2 loss to the Providence Bruins, a 2-1 overtime win over the Utica Comets, and a 3-2 overtime loss to the Hershey Bears. Bridgeport was on the road Wednesday, October 18, against Providence before a back-to-back starting with their home opener on Saturday night. Kyle Maclean [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/players/new-york-islanders-william-dufour-matthew-maggio-arnaud-durandeau-calle-odelius-eetu-liukas] was all of the offense in Wednesday’s loss to Providence, scoring his first two goals of the season. The 24-year-old had another multi-point game with two assists in the home opener on Saturday. Matthew Maggio [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/matthew-maggio-new-york-islanders-prospect-rookie-camp]had a milestone weekend, as he scored his first professional goal Saturday night, which was Bridgeport’s first goal on home ice this season. The 20-year-old wasn’t done, as he found the back of the net in a second straight game with a tally in Sunday's loss to Hershey, making it three points in five games for the youngster in his first professional season. Robin Salo was the hero in front of the home fans, as he scored the overtime winner against Utica on Saturday. For Salo, it was his first goal since the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs, as the defenseman went all of the 2022-23 AHL season (38 games) without finding the back of the net. Salo did appear in 11 NHL games a season ago, registering two goals and 2 assists. He started the season with the Islanders but lost his starting job just six games in. Jakub Skarek [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/news/jakub-skarek-new-york-islanders-bridgeport-islanders-contract] started all three games in goal for Bridgeport this week. Against Providence, Skarek made 28 saves on 31 shots, taking his first loss of the season. In the overtime win over Utica, he only allowed one goal on 27 shots. Sunday, he stopped 19 of 22 Hershey shots and now sits with a 2-1-1. With Skarek starting all but one game so far this season, it looks like he is being given the keys to the starting role. Ken Appleby’s only appearance so far came on October 14, when Bridgeport fell to the Syracuse Crunch. Tanner Fritz [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/new-york-islanders-tanner-fritz-2016-17-forward-bridgeport-islanders-2] played in his 200th game with the Bridgeport Islanders/Sound Tigers during Saturday’s home opener. He added an assist in the game and scored his first goal of the season Sunday. Fritz is back in the Islanders organization after two years with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers. Bridgeport moves to 2-2-1-0 on the young season after the week. They have five points on the season and sit fourth in the Atlantic Division standings. UP NEXT: The Bridgeport Islanders travel to North Carolina for two straight games against the Charlotte Checkers this weekend. The games are Friday, October 27 at 7 pm and Saturday, October 28 at 6 pm. Stay tuned this week as The Hockey News speaks with Matt Maggio on the next edition of Across The Sound.
