In a thrilling showdown on Sunday, February 16, 2025, the Bridgeport Islanders secured a hard-fought 4-2 victory over the Providence Bruins at Amica Mutual Pavilion. This win was particularly significant for the Islanders, marking their first triumph over the Bruins this season. The game remained deadlocked after two periods, but the Islanders displayed remarkable resilience in the third, scoring twice to clinch the win.
Early Lead and Bruins’ Quick Response
The Islanders took an early lead in the first period when rookie defenseman Marshall Warren fired a wrist shot from the left circle at 7:56, netting his second professional goal. Brian Pinho and Chris Terry set up the play, demonstrating their sharp offensive chemistry. However, the Bruins responded quickly, netting two goals in less than a minute. John Farinacci tied the game at 13:20, extending his point streak to five games, and Jeffrey Viel capitalized on a deflection at 14:13 to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately for Bridgeport, their starting goaltender Hunter Miska suffered an injury on that play, leading to Henrik Tikkanen stepping in to guard the net for the rest of the match.
Islanders Rally Back to Secure Victory
The second period saw the Islanders battle back to even the score. At 17:35, Pinho notched his 19th goal of the season, pouncing on a rebound after Terry’s initial shot was deflected. With the game tied 2-2 entering the third period, both teams played with heightened intensity. The Bruins had a crucial opportunity early in the period when Fabian Lysell broke away on a penalty shot, but Tikkanen denied him, keeping the Islanders in contention. The turning point came in the final minutes of regulation when William Dufour maneuvered past a Bruins defenseman and delivered a perfect pass to Tyce Thompson, who buried his shot to put the Islanders ahead 3-2. As the Bruins pushed for an equalizer, Eetu Liukas sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final 54 seconds, ensuring a 4-2 final score.
Standout Performances
Bridgeport’s success was fueled by standout performances from key players. Henrik Tikkanen was perfect in relief, stopping all 22 shots he faced and earning his fourth win of the season. Chris Terry added two assists, maintaining his position as the second-highest scorer in the AHL with 46 points. Meanwhile, Pinho’s goal and assist further solidified his role as a critical offensive force for the Islanders.
What’s Next for the Islanders and Bruins?
With this momentum-building win, the Islanders look ahead to their next challenge against the Utica Comets on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Total Mortgage Arena. Meanwhile, the Providence Bruins will face off against the same opponent a day earlier, hoping to bounce back from their defeat. This victory not only boosts the Islanders’ confidence but also showcases their potential as they continue their AHL campaign.
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