CAPUANO FROM THE TEAM BUS: Bport 5, WB-S 4
On the OT win, DiBo and plans for Game 4
8:55 pm - I just spoke with Bridgeport coach Jack Capuano as he was boarding the team bus for the ride home after the Sound Tigers’ come-from-behind 5-4 win in overtime tonight in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Some of Capuano’s thoughts:
On the comeback: “We haven’t quit all year. This team just does not quit, so I can’t say I was surprised we came back from down 4-1 and with a lot of adveristy in that second period. Walking into this building down two games, where the Penguins have one of the best home records in the league, and with all our injuries…well, this was just outstanding. We have a lot more work ahead of us, but I’m proud of their effort.”
His pre-game approach: “I told the guys right before the game, “We can’t win four games in one night. We just have to keep battling and battling until the end.’ And you know what? That’s exactly what our team did.”
On Sean Bentivoglio: “So great to see a kid like that rewarded. Benti works so hard and it hasn’t always dropped for him. But he’s played real well the last few weeks. In the overtime, Jack Hillen fed him a perfect pass and Benti took care of the rest. The coaching staff is so happy for Benti because we know the effort he puts in every night.”
On Peter Mannino: “The true mark of a good pro goalie, that’s what he showed tonight. We gave up the four goals in the second period and it could have turned into a nightmare. But Pete made a huge save at the far post on Nick Johnson late in the second period and then we made it 4-2. He was perfect in the third and in overtime. That’s what winning goaltenders do.”
On the pro debut of NYI draft pick Justin DiBenedetto: “I just met with Justin because I wanted to give him immediate feedback. He made his professional debut tonight under pretty trying circumstances - on the road in a must-win game in the playoffs. Dibo has incredible hockey sense, puck skills and hands. He played a regular shift, must have gotten at least 20 minutes. I can’t say for sure because like the Penguins we’re a little beat up and bruised and I don’t know if we’ll get anyone back. But Justin did plenty tonight to earn a shot at Game 4 on Wednesday back at our home rink.”
What needs to change for Game 4: “Nothing, really. I don’t mean there aren’t some aspects we can be better at, especially the power play and PK. But I like our approach. Our team identity all season has been to play with passion. I don’t expect that will change.”
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8:02 pm - Sean Bentivoglio scores at 9:48 of overtime to complete the comeback and give Bridgeport a 5-4 win in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Penguins now lead the best-of-7 series 2-1 with Game 4 in Bridgeport on Wednesday.
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7:30 pm - Tonight it’s Bridgeport’s turn to mount a third period comeback on the road. Down 4-2 in the third period, the Sound Tigers get goals from Jon Sim (11:51) and Joe Callahan (15:46) to send the game into overtime. Gutsy.
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6:55 pm - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scores 4 goals in the second period to take a 4-2 lead heading into the third period. Jon Sim and Andrew MacDonald have the goals for Bridgeport, who are on the brink of playoff disaster after such an impressive regular season.
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Plenty of changes for Bridgeport today after dropping Game 1 and 2 to the Penguins at the Coliseum in the first round of the AHL playoffs. Kyle Okposo (World Championships), Mike Iggulden (upper-body injury) and Pascal Morency are out. For his hit on Iggulden, Tim Wallace of the Penguins has been suspended for one game. Goaltending switch: Peter Mannino in for Nathan Lawson.
Good test for OHL scoring forward Justin DiBenedetto. He’ll make his AHL and pro debut today for Game 3 on a line with Rob Hennigar and Jesse Joensuu. 2007 draft pick Max Gratchev - unsigned by the Islanders and on an ATO with Bridgeport - also debuts. Dennis Packard in for Morency. We’ll have a story on the game tonight. Faceoff for Game 3 in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is at 5:05 pm.
Comments.
58 Responses to “CAPUANO FROM THE TEAM BUS: Bport 5, WB-S 4
On the OT win, DiBo and plans for Game 4”
Please Wait
I was at the game - and missed the hit on Iggy…..who hit him? Was it a clean play?
Time for some guys to make a statement here and shine. The team gave a good effort last night - just need a bit more luck…..and better goaltending effort.
You have to wonder if moving the home games to NVMC was a disadvantage. I’m sure the hometown fans in Bridgeport were a bit unhappy. Any update on Kate Murray? We need to keep the pressure on. Number one pick is coming to LI and with the Toronto press already looking to influence Taveras, the TOH needs to get the LHP going.
post 1,
did you read the article,
the guy WAS suspended for the hit!
go baby isles!
Speaking of Tavares, he scored for London in the first and it’s a 1-1 tie with Windsor after 1 period in game 3 of the OHL Western Confernce Final. Series also 1-1.
I’m listening to the game, I’ll update.
Now this is info we can’t get anywhere else. Thanks!!
It would sure be nice to have the OHL’s two leading scorers playing next year.
Sorry Seth, I will consult with you before I complement Botta again.
I follow all of Tavares’ games on the OHL website - but can someone tell me where i can listen to the games? Thanks I want to hear as much about him as i can since they better pick him!
There is about 13 minutes left in the second, there is a delay because of the glass. Score still 1-1.
The glass broke but they are finally ready to resume.
Anyone else bracing themselves for the influx of canadian hockey fans sure to pollute this site over the next few months? Hockey Hubris at its best…just kidding CB, I know that’s against the comment guidlines, but I guess if an Islander journalist can dump on canadian journalists, Islander hockey fans can dump on canadian hockey fans…
Connor O’Donnell with a goal for Windsor with 1:44 left in the second for a 2-1 Windsor lead at the end of two. On a London powerplay at the end of the second was playing the point on a two man London advantage.
I don’t think so, Windsor has been the best team all year and the winner of this series is likely to play a very tough Brampton team with Matt Duchene in the OHL finals.
How does DiBenedetto look?
Good luck Justin. I can’t wait to hear how he does. Keep us posted on this Chris.
very shotty goaltending so far in all three games.
I find it funny that people are saying the Isles had “better pick Tavares” as if picking Hedman will infuriate the fans. Either guy is going to be a cornerstone for any team picking him. I really hope we don’t hear a bunch of complaining if we pick the best young defensemen in THE WORLD. But we are Isles fans so I guess that would be expected.
3-2 london, about 11 minutes left in the third. London scored 2 goals in about 30 seconds, Tavaras assist and the lead goal by Phil Varone.
Justin Taylor just gave London a 4-2 lead with 7:39 remaining in the third.
Akeem (11) I have been an Islander fan probably for longer than many that claim to Islander fans. I am from Canada and have been proud to say I am an Islander fan for a long time. It is a shame to see this site polluted by the influx of ignorant comments like the one you just made!
Devil draft pick Adam Henrique pulls Windsor within a goal at 4-3 with 5:49 remaining in the third.
I’m hoping that we can trade up to get Ryan Ellis to be our cornerstone D-Man - to Compliment JT
bridgeport losing 4-2
ya ellis had 89 points this yr
He’s only 5 10 but him and streit are great offensive defensemen.
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Is anybody else watching Mike Milbury on the Hodge Stove League on the NHL Network? He just said they made the Yashin deal after ownership nixed another major trade he had done. Does anybody know what deal this was? MM would not say on the show but did mention he may have said it before. Thanks!
I’m with ya kabbage (20) … Canadian fans are welcome anytime … we appreciate the wide range of support … of course as long as people respect one another.
Bridgey tied it up 4-4!
i think it was CB that said that deal was chara and the pick to boston for allison or soemthing to that effect…
and bport is going to OT after their own 3rd period comeback tonight
How’s DiBo doing?
Here is a thought … Tavares and Streit share the same agent (Pat Brisson) … Streit publicly stated that they needed a “Sniper”… Maybe Pat and JT want to plant the seed for Garth to select him #1 overall so they used Streit to deliver the message. ::shrugs:: or maybe not?
I am listening BP game on the radio… DiBo just had a nice chance in front of the goal in Pitts and then made a great play in a deffencive zone. Mannino with a great save after that.
Bentivolgio and DiBo had a scram with a couple of Pitts.
Benti scored 5:4. BP won!!!!!
DiBo with the goal whooo!
Sean Bentivoglio wins it in OT
Soundtigers pull off the comeback, nice!
OT. BRI Bentivoglio, (1) (Hillen, Callahan), 9:48
Players I would like to see in Bridgeport next year.
Jesse Joensuu, Robin Figren, Mark Katic, Tomas Marcinko, Max Gratchev.
It seems to me that Bridgeport has some older players who have no future in the NHL. It is time to start developing our draft picks in the pro ranks.
Great win for the Bridge…
What I meant was the fans who are from the Simmons school of Hockey Hubris. Like everyone has said, hockey talk from anywhere is great, I just hope we don’t get people who think they own Tavares and start dumping on the Isles….
Great comeback after yesterday and not giving up especially 3 games in 3 days.Nice.
yea DiBo! Prove all of us nay-sayers wrong and earn a regular shift with the big club by the end of next season!
Awesome to see that Dibo has no problem getting physical late in the game with so much on the line considering it was his professional debut! Any word on Katic and if he will see any action??
go DiBo go
So happy they won. Now do it again on Wednesday Jack.
Big win by the Ducks…
(44): you said it!
2 more wins for anaheim…and they’re at home to try and get them….c’mon sharks, choke one more year….26th overall and 31st overall for something 15 spots higher…
I agree that we should trade the 31st and the 26th for another top 10 pick if we can. If we could get two NHL ready players to add to okposo, bailey and the other kids, then NHL players will take a hard look at coming here to play. I believe that the reason we can’t get FA’s is because the history of blunders, not because of a crappy stadium. If this team can add one or two key pieces like streit was last year, we will have a definite reason to get excited. Jay Bowmeister would be huge, imagine a power play with him, streit, okposo bailey and tavares. It is crucial for Snow to make the smart, but aggressive moves over the next few years to keep the core together, and add though a variety of ways
I would love to land JT and Kane.
post 48…why would you want to support players who can help your team some day??? crazy talk…
In order to land TOR 1st Rd Pick (7th overall), I think it is going to take more than the 24-30th overall, the 31st overall, and the 60th overall (around where Boston’s pick would be). If Snow can pull that off, while keeping Toronto’s 2nd Round pick for ourselves, that would be genius. However, to be fair, I doubt we will take Tavares at the number one spot and Kane at the 7 spot. It would be more of a situation where Tavares is taken first overall, and then Snow tries to land a blue-chip defenseman like Cowen, Kulikov, or Ekman-Larsson. While I think Ryan Ellis is a great player in this draft, I feel he is just a more talented mirror image of Jack Hillen, and that we need to add some size to our defensive corps.
The Isles deff need to move up for a key defenseman. Even though Ellis isn’t a big dman, I think that he would be a good fit. Remember, Jared Cowan recently had major knee surgery and might not even be ready next season. He might be more of an “Injury King than DP.” We don’t need more players infested with the injury bug. Also, It’s funny how San Jose vow to win the cup every year and choke early in the playoffs. They deff need to fire their GM.
The real reason that free agents of any significance dont come here is plain and simple…WE STINK !! The goal of every hockey player growing up is to win the Stanley Cup. Where do all the good free agents end up? On teams that have a legit shot of winning the cup. Not to the Isles…not to the Thrashers…..not to the Coyotes. Lets be real here - if the Islanders were 1, maybe 2 players away from winning the cup, you will see how fast good free agents take the Islanders money. And if Stanley Cup contenders knew how good Streit would be this year, they woulda signed him July 1. Would you come here for slightly more than Detroit? Boston? Anaheim? The Rangers dont count because they throw ridiculous money around. I would take it
I was @ the game in Wilkes-Barre. DiBo looked fairly comfortable on the ice. didn’t do anything to hurt his chances. Was nice to see him get physical towards the end of the game. DiBo earned another look in game 4. Trade propsal: the # 1 to Tampa for Vinny L. and the # 2. Then we take Hedman. Not sold on JT’s commitment to be an Isle.
I was @ the game in Wilkes-Barre. DiBo looked fairly comfortable on the ice. didn’t do anything to hurt his chances. Was nice to see him get physical towards the end of the game. DiBo earned another look in game 4. Lets take hedman and build from the goal out. I’m for taking VH not JT. Call me crazy but I think that Hed will be a better overall player.
robisles, read up on jt’s backround, he’s solid, he’s got a quiet, unassuming demeanor and doesn’t like to be in the spotlight, he’s very driven, and knows how to handle pressure situations, AND, he’s very loyal…his ohl team had to convince him to go to london (he could have blocked the trade) because he 1 didnt want to leave his friends and seem like he was running off to greener grasses…i think 1 night hanging with ko and jb and he’ll want to be there to restore some glory to the isle
Rich from Post 17, Isles fans have spoken and the majority voted for Hedman. If the majority doesn’t get what it wants, the majority will be complaining”. Its the nature of the beast”
This team NEEDS a shot in the arm. Taveres is the remedy.
Edit last post, the majority voted for Taveres.