Three Takeaways from Bridgeport Islanders 1-0 Loss to Providence Bruins

BRIDGEPORT, CT–On Sunday, the Bridgeport Islanders (7-2-1-0) hosted the Providence Bruins (8-1-1-1) for the finale of their three-game homestand. The result was a 1-0 loss, the first loss for Bridgeport on home ice this season.

Here are your three takeaways from the Sunday matinee.

Lack of Special Team Success

The Bridgeport Islanders struggled to stay disciplined in Sunday’s loss, making four trips to the penalty box. The Providence Bruins capitalized on one opportunity, which was enough to secure the two points.

Providence defenseman Connor Carrick got the job done as he let one rip just inside the blue line.

Carrick's first for the lead in Bridgeport 🚨 pic.twitter.com/DKnupPOMSy

— Providence Bruins (@AHLBruins) November 6, 2022

Head Coach Brent Thompson believes that his squad is taking steps in the right direction on the penalty kill, but did not think they were sharp enough Sunday.

“I feel it’s important for us to have timely kills. That’s the time when we have to step up and make that kill or get that clear or block a shot or, maybe, do one of those little details within the kill,” Thompson said. “Tonight, I didn’t think our penalty kill was as sharp as it has been, and it is trending in the right direction for sure, but I think our guys are working really hard at it.”

The Islanders had two power-play opportunities of their own, but they went by the wayside.

Robin Salo Back in Bridgeport

Sunday morning, the New York Islanders reassigned Robin Salo to Bridgeport. The defensemen was present and played Sunday against Providence, skating alongside Bridgeport Islanders captain Seth Helgerson.

Salo didn’t get any shots off but did serve a two-minute minor in the third period for holding. Having Salo back in Bridgeport should benefit some of the younger members of the Bridgeport Islanders.

“We’re excited to have him here, and he got to play, and I thought he did a good job,” Thompson said. “He moved the puck. He competed hard. He stepped right in, and it was a playoff-type game tonight, and he was a solid force for us back there.”

Chris Terry & Grant Hutton Absent Again

Meanwhile, Bridgeport Islanders veteran Chris Terry and Grant Hutton we’re both missing from today’s game.

The last time Hutton played was Oct.29 @LVPhantoms while the last time Terry played was Nov.1 against the @CheckersHockey here at Total Mortgage Arena. https://t.co/NCSwHlcFh2

— Joshua Linsenberg (@JoshLinsenberg) November 6, 2022

Thompson did acknowledge the team is dealing with some injuries but wouldn’t provide any specifics on Terry or Hutton.

“It’s day-to-day right now. There are obviously some injuries that we were dealing with, and it’s day-to-day for everyone right now, and that’s really the only reason those guys weren’t in the lineup,” Thompson shared with NYI Hockey Now.

Next up: Bridgeport heads on the road for a two-game set against the Hershey Bears on Friday and Saturday night, with puck drop set for 7 P.M ET.