Are Ryan Strome, Andrey Pedan and Scott Mayfield Headed East?
Kevin Schultz , Islanders Point Blank:
Tonight, three of the Islanders’ 2011 draft picks were eliminated from their respective post-season tournaments. That could pave the way for all of them to head east to either Long Island or, most likely, Bridgeport.
Two new #BST faces (though not John Persson) — former Dartmouth D Mike Keenan, and a big goalie. Presumably AT…oh, Anders Nilsson.— Michael Fornabaio (@fornabaioctp) March 20, 2013
Tonight in Hartford, Rick DiPietro had a bad start to his Sound Tigers career. DiPietro allowed five goals to the CT Whale on 12 shots and was pulled after the first intermission in favor of Kenny Reiter. Here’s the full box score.
Update, 1:43pm: Mike Fornabaio has a full analysis here. Video is here.
Anders Nilsson’s Injury Remains a Mystery
Kevin Schultz , Islanders Point Blank:
Over the weekend, Kenny Reiter started Saturday and Sunday’s games for the Sound Tigers, after Kevin Poulin was called up to the Island. Missing was Anders Nilsson, the Islanders other young goaltending prospect in the AHL, who hasn’t been seen on the ice in February. To read more of this story, click here
There Were 242 Penalty Minutes in Last Night’s Sound Tigers Game (Video)
Kevin Schultz , Islanders Point Blank:
The Sound Tigers lost 5-2 to Springfield last night, but that’s not necessarily going to be the newsmaking headline when there were 242 penalty minutes combined between the two teams. Here’s the full highlight video, with the fights starting around the 3:00 mark.
THE MORNING SKATE — Nino and Donovan at the AHL All-Star Game
Kevin Schultz , Islanders Point Blank:
Last night the AHL All-Star Game took place in Providence, RI and it featured two Sound Tigers: Matt Donovan and Nino Niederreiter. Both were voted as starters for the game for the Eastern Conference, certainly a positive for the players and organization. The West won the game 7-6 — low scoring for an ASG, maybe? — and the only tally for the two Sound Tigers was a between-the-legs second assist from Niederreiter.
Sunday night was the skills competition and Donovan took part in the hardest shot contest:
Source — Islanders and Sound Tigers to Scrimmage at Coliseum
Kevin Schultz , Islanders Point Blank:
A source has confirmed to Point Blank that the Islanders and Sound Tigers will scrimmage at the Nassau Coliseum this week. The scrimmage is likely to be played on Wednesday and to be open to fans. Further details were not known.
INJURY UPDATE — Trio Skating in Bridgeport
Kevin Schultz , Islanders Point Blank:
Mike Fornabaio tweets that Travis Hamonic (concussion), Kirill Kabanov (arm) and Brock Nelson (jaw) all skated today in Bridgeport. Hamonic is obviously an important part of the Islanders defense, especially if Visnovsky does not come back. The Islanders have been and likely will continue to be very cautious with him. Kabanov and Nelson could both get a look at training camp, but it’s possible their injuries have hampered their chances. The Islanders have 11 forwards until NHL contract, 12 if you include Nino Niederreiter. That means there could be only one or two forward spots up for grabs. Other players in the running likely include David Ullstrom and Casey Cizikas.
