Bridgeport and Prospect Roundup 1/24

There is a front page story on the AHL website about Bridgeport's 10 year anniversary as the Islanders farm club. Of the 30 players on the Islanders roster, 20 of them have spent time in Bridgeport during their career. Also young Zdeno Chara is taking up primo real estate place on the AHL website along with other former AHL All-Stars Martin St. Louis, Eric Staal and Bobby Ryan. In real news the SoundTigers ended their 8 game winless streak with a win over Worcester, but dropped games to both Providence and Springfield.

Nathan Lawson was sent back to BP to start Tuesday against Providence, either for his confidence or because Mikko Kosikinen has been suffering from a mysterious condition. They ended up losing in the shootout, but got there only because of Second Star of the night Lawson's 38 save performance. BP was outshot 38-17, and it wasn't that close as they only managed 5 shots in each period to 13,10 and 10 shots. Micheal Haley [David Ullstrom, Robin Figren] and Jason Pitton [Rob Hisey, Brett Motherwell] scored for BP. Does Jason Pitton sound familiar? He was the Islanders 2004 8th round selection and the SoundTigers are now his fourth team this season, his third AHL team.

Against Worcester Joel Martin got the surprise start and let up 3 goals in a row to put BP in a 3-1 hole at the halfway point of the game. But the SoundTigers rallied, sandwiching an even strength goal between two power play goals to take the lead. Dustin Kohn got his second goal of the night (and the season) putting in an empty netter. Dustin Kohn [Brett Svendsen, Pitton] Jesse Joensuu, Rob Hisey [Joensuu, Pitton] Justin DiBenedetto [Mark Katic, Ty Wishart] and Kohn [EN] had the goals on the night. Joenssu was named first star and Hisey was named second star.

For the first time in a bit the SoundTigers not just held a team to under 30 shots but kept Springfield to just 21 shots against 31 of their own. In the Third period trying to make up a one goal deficit they outshot Springfield 12-1. It was not to be as Springfield scored an empty netter after Martin was pulled from net (18 Saves on 21 Shots). Hisey [DiBenedetto, Katic] and DiBenedetto [Hisey, Joensuu] had the goals in a 4-2 loss.

Natural Born Kirills

Kirill Petrov had 2 goals and an assist in 5 games this week making his season total 8 Goals, 8 Assists for 16 points in 40 games. Petrov is tied for 5th on his team in goals, Tied for 10th in assists and his +3 is good for 8th on the team. For comparison's sake, Petrov's team Yugra is in the middle of the pack in goals for. He averages nearly 15 minutes a game and 16.4 shifts a game.

Kirill Kabanov had a quiet week, only notching an assist in 3 games. But he did not have a negative +/- in any game this week. On the season he has 5 goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 21 games.

WHL, OHL, NCAA and Europe

Tough week for Calvin De Haan and the Oshawa Generals. The Generals dropped 3 of 4 games this week, and DeHaan was a -2 in each loss with just 1 assist. In the lone win DeHaan was a +4 on the night and managed another assist. For the year he has 2 goals, 26 assists for 28 points in 33 games. [Highlights from Win]

Teammate and fellow Islanders Draftee Tony DeHart is out with an undisclosed injury.

Despite having his 6 game point streak snapped, Casey Cizikas had a strong week. He had a goal and 3 assists, a 2nd star of the night and a +2. Cizikas has 23 goals, 25 assists for 48 points in 36 games and a +30. The former 4th round selection is currently the leading scorer for Islanders prospects at this level. [Cizikas Goal]

Nino Niederreiter continues to be a driving force behind the Portland Winterhawks. A 2 goal, 2 assist performance including the game winner for a shorthanded Portland team in a 5-4 Overtime win earned Nino First Star. After a quiet two games, Nino busted out another 2 goal (and 1 assist) night including another Overtime game winner for the WinterHawks. Nino has 20 goals, 16 assists for 36 points in 32 games. [Nino works with RSH it appears]

After a 9-0 schlacking against Edmonton the Wheat Kings bounced back with back to back wins. David Toews had an assist in the first game and a goal in the second in helping Brandon get back to back six goal outings. In 37 games Toews has 11 goals, 14 assists for 25 points

North Dakota split their games with Nebraska-Omaha this weekend. Jason Gregoire continues to play strong coming off his injury, with 3 goals and an assist this weekend. He was also named second star of the night in UND's win for his 2 goal 1 assist night in the 2nd game.Brock Nelson played the first night (no points) but sat out the second night as a healthy scratch. UND did surrender 5 PPG to Omaha, not sure if that played a part in Brock sitting. Gregoire has 10 goals, 8 assists for 18 points in 20 games this year. Brock has 4 goals, 4 assists for 8 points in 25 games. [Gregoire goal 1] [Gregoire goal 2]

Anders Lee and Notre Dame played Ohio State this weekend, dropping the first game 6-1. Notre Dame won the second game 4-1 behind Lee's first star 2 goal performance. Lee has 16 goals, 12 assists for 28 points in 28 games.

The University of Denver swept Alaska-Anchorage, with Matt Donovan adding an assist. Donovan has 6 goals, 12 assists for 18 points in 26 games.

Minnesota and Aaron Ness were off this week.

Jason Clark did not play in the Badgers two games this week. Since this is the third straight week of Clark not playing, I'm going to stop reporting on him until he starts playing again.

Corey Trivino had a tough week for BU as they dropped 2 out of 3 and Trivino didn't score a point. He has 4 goals and 9 assists for 13 points in 21 games.

Blake Kessel had an assist in 2 games for UNH.This year he has 5 goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 22 games. [Interview]

Colgate split it's games this week and Brian Day added an assist to his season total. Day has 8 goals, 7 assists for 15 points in 22 games.

Anders Nilsson continues to be somewhat erratic for Lulea. Nilsson starts the first game of the week, a 5-4 OT win but allows 4 goals on 22 shots. Rautio allows 4 goals on 23 shots in a 5-3 loss in the following game. Nilsson then gets the following start and has 23 saves on 25 shots in a 2-0 loss for Lulea. [1st game] [2nd game]

Cody Rosen did not play this week.