Bridgeport Islanders Notebook: Big Weekend for Forward Anatolii Golyshev

BRIDGEPORT, CT — On a weekend chocked full of big moments for the Bridgeport Islanders, Anatolii Golyshev can make the case for standing out in their last two games.

Golyshev scored two of Bridgeport’s three goals on Sunday and now has three goals in four AHL games this season. The Islanders forward had a good showing at training camp with the New York Islanders and has continued that with the Bridgeport Islanders.

Anatolii Golyshev had a number of chances on Saturday as well, which included an odd-man rush in overtime that got deflected into the netting behind the goaltender. Bridgeport head coach Brent Thompson has taken notice of the effort that Golyshev has given through his first four games.

Golyshev is playing his first season in North America after spending time in the KHL.

“I think he’s made a good adjustment. He’s asking questions, he’s trying to learn our systems, the way we do things,” Thompson said. “One of the biggest things is work ethic. If you just take him and look at his work ethic, it’s outstanding. Every day in practice he brings a little bit of energy. Tonight’s game, for example, he brought energy. For me, he’s taking steps in the right direction and constantly wanting to learn more and more.

“That’s something that’s really good.”

That's ✌️ for Golyshev 🥳#BRIvsLAV https://t.co/o361zW9D67 pic.twitter.com/2kvDdCvvOR

— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) October 24, 2021

Thompson’s analysis of Golyshev matches what New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz had said during training camp. Trotz noted the work ethic that Golyshev showed during camp in September and October.

Anatolii Golyshev is on a 1-year, one-way deal with the Islanders this season and Wouldnt need to go through waivers if he was called up from Bridgeport. That could make him a possibility to see time in the NHL this season, especially if Trotz doesn’t like the idea of Kieffer Bellows getting into the lineup.

Notes

• Chris Terry scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season on Sunday afternoon in Bridgeport’s 3-0 win over the Laval Rocket. Terry has five points through the first five games of the AHL year. This is his first season in Bridgeport after signing with the team in August.
• Jakub Skarek recorded his second career AHL shutout on Sunday by stopping all 37 shots that he faced Sunday. Skarek has started in four of Bridgeport’s first five games and has posted a 1.94 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage.
• Saturday’s home opener at Webster Bank arena drew 3,460 fans for the first AHL game in front of a crowd since March of 2020. Sunday’s game drew just 1,723, which was the eighth-smallest crowd in team history and the second-smallest on a weekend, according to Lighthouse Hockey.

The Week Ahead

The Bridgeport Islanders will continue their season with a set of weekend games on Saturday and Sunday at home. First, the Providence Bruins will visit Webster Bank Arena on Saturday night for the second meeting between the two clubs this season. Providence defeated Bridgeport 2-1 in the shootout on Oct. 16.

The Islanders will then host the Hartford Wolf Pack on Sunday afternoon for a Halloween edition of the Battle of Connecticut. The Islanders lost their season opener to Hartford, 2-1.