Sound Tigers: The Dark Horse Emerges

Bridgeport Sound Tigers haven't really been competitive the past few years. They've posted a fair amount of last place finishes in their division and so this year they have a lot to prove. A lot. To be honest, it makes this a little bit harder for me to determine what rivalries will be fun, what team prospects would you like to see and to be honest, I don't really know?When you are at rock bottom, you have to make it through everybody, so everyone is your biggest rival.

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That was from my Games to Gun For post for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. I don't know if they read it, but if they did, they certainly took it to heart. The Sound Tigers are off to a great start. They are on top of the Eastern Conference with the most games played. They got five wins to the one start, and save for Ontario and San Diego who only have played five games between the two of them, the Sound Tigers have the best win percentage in the entire AHL. They have a goal differential of +6, beating high seeded teams like the Penguins, the Ice Caps, and the Providence Bruins twice, back to back. Their only loss was to the Atlantic divisions number 2 seed.

The Sound Tigers trying out their new look.

This is a team that is starting everything off on the right foot, and while its still really early in the season, I'm buying stock now. The Falcons look kinda like crap. Ok, a lot like crap. so my initial dark horse candidate? Yeah. Shame because I buy a lot into the history and want Springfield to have something to cheer for. But the perennial losers fighting to win a championship? I can buy that tripe and have. Many, many times.

This is the story I want to sell this season. A feel good story the AHL can promote and use to draw attention. Ice caps, Hartford? Penguins? Potential villains from villainous organizations with curly mustaches and greedy sneers as they look down on the common fold of Bridgeport Connecticut, a troubled town with the noisy neighbors of Gun Wavin' New Haven who always stops by to mess up the place. Its a town that needs hope. That hope is a hockey team that captures the heart of not just the locals but of the nation as well... Where were you in the Bridgeport miracle championship run of 2015? Right there with them... And then the next year, right back to last place with them. Can't screw up too much of a good thing.

That or they just start strong and blow it in the stretch. Either way, its a fun story. Their next two games are going to be games to watch, with back to back match ups against the Ice Caps. St. Johns is a tough opponent whom they already played once, and now they will have them on the road, back to back, in the middle nowhere in a town with nothing but its minor league hockey team. This will be a good chance to continue with their statement and show that they are the team to beat this year and that they won't settle for last in the division this year.

PS. This doesn't change anything in regards to the River Rats (Albany Devils) or what I said about Bridgeport needing to make everyone a rival. There's still plenty of time to finish last, and they still need to play hungry. They still are a team with 4 joke banners until they get their first real one.

Who to watch, Second Saturday

Saturday means a huge slate of games. Tonight we have Albany at Toronto, Phantoms and Baby Pens, Wild against the Monsters, Amerks and Ice Caps, Providence and Bridgeport in their second back to back, San Antonio and the Griffins Utica at Hartford, Hershey at Portland, Senators at Syracuse, Charlotte at Chicago, Reign at the Moose in their second back to back, Texas at Rockford, And San Jose and Bakersfield.

It is a heavy, heavy slate today, and some really good games, who to keep an eye on?

1. Bridgeport and Providence
Last night was a decent match and Bridgeport remains undefeated. Providence will be looking for a good shot to be the one to deliver that blow after Providence got their first non-overtime loss of the season. Providence has been playing it tight and Bridgeport has too, expect this one to be close and well fought as the dark horse that is the Sound Tigers steam ahead.

2. Senators and Crunch
Both teams are looking to make and early impact this season after they have their first win no losses. I think both teams are capable of competing in the long haul so this early match up could help set the pace for either of these teams.

3. Charlotte at Chicago
Probably the best match up tonight, They are one and two in the central division, both are strong contenders, and Charlotte is undefeated, but its back to back for both teams, and Chicago has home advantage. I expect this to be a very competitive game, hopefully a bit chippy, and hopefully one that hockey fans will enjoy.

Bridgeport Soundtigers: Games to Gun For

The only banners in Bridgeport
Creative Commons Doug Kerr

Games to gun for will go over specific games and opponents fans might want to see. Criteria are based upon AHL rivalries, fun teams to watch in the AHL and regional rivalries between the local NHL teams. Consider it a guide for casual fans to know how to get the biggest bang for their buck.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers haven't really been competitive the past few years. They've posted a fair amount of last place finishes in their division and so this year they have a lot to prove. A lot. To be honest, it makes this a little bit harder for me to determine what rivalries will be fun, what team prospects would you like to see and to be honest, I don't really know?When you are at rock bottom, you have to make it through everybody, so everyone is your biggest rival. And that is why writing this is so hard.

Side note before I begin, the Sound Tigers are running a blog series that any one considering going to a game should check out. Its called KNOW YOUR OPPONENT (all caps) and its something I feel every team should be doing. Maybe something I'll talk more about later, but if you're from Bridgeport and you got tickets, definitely check it out. It will help provide a lot more in depth info about that opponent than I will right now.

Anyway...

Home opener: October 10th
Opponent: WB/Scranton Penguins
Analysis: This might be a fantastic chance to get the season off on the right foot as they are taking on the Penguins coming off of a game in Providence. Back to back road games that are also home openers? Penguins might have a hard time with that start and the Sound Tigers might be lucky enough to get a win right out of the gate.

Opponents

1. Everyone.
Seriously, I know its a cop out, but everyone. I don't think its too far of a stretch to say the most exciting part about the Sound Tigers as is, would be the pre-season because it is the highest in the standings they may be all year. And that's because of the alphabet. If you are a fan of the Sound Tigers, don't worry about what game, just go because they probably will need the emotional support. Hate everybody and try to drive your team.  Failing that, aim for these teams.

1. Hartford Wolfpack
This is purely geographical. Two Connecticut teams affiliated with two New York teams, a rivalry just makes sense. They face each other 10 times, five at home but really, depending on where you live, it might be equidistant and you can hit up any of the 10 with a short 30 minute drive.

2. Hershey Bears.
This was my most painful one to omit from my Springfield Falcons blog because there is so much history to this franchise, and in Springfield and its just about AHL love. Ultimately I felt the four matchups between the two wasn't really worth the digital ink. That said, Bridgeport plays Hershey three times at home, six times total. Is it like crazy high matchup count? No, but I think Hershey is a Marquee AHL franchise that, if your team isn't doing hot or isn't slated to do well, then you would be well served to check out.

3. Portland Pirates
By sheer volume alone, this is a good divisional opponent to check out, and you probably will see, given that they face each other in Bridgeport six times. Familiarity breeds contempt so the more they face off, the more they'll start to hate each other. That means more fights, more fun.

4.St. Johns IceCaps.
In the off chance you're a Bruins or Rangers fan and not and Islanders fan, this one is just for you guys. The Sound Tigers and IceCaps face off only four times, twice at home, but they are the Canadiens affiliate and the enemy of my enemy... or something like that.

5. Albany Devils
Are they a divisional rival? No. But they face off as many times as one. Eight times, four at home. That's more than they face the Penguins, more than the Phantoms, and to be honest, I'm sick of writing why you should hate those teams. Especially when your team needs to hate everyone.

In the words of Mary Jane Watson: Go get 'em tiger.