Off Season with Rakhshani and Olson

A few weeks ago Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders AHL affiliate) forward Rhett Rakhshani and defenseman Benn Olson did some off season training with the Sound Tigers assistant Coach Matt Bertani in Pittsburgh, PA and I got to take a few photos during one of their sessions.  This was also the second week Coach Bertani was back on the ice after fracturing his c-1 vertebra in May.

I had a chance to talk with Rakhshani about his workouts and stay in Pittsburgh, you can check that out below!

Q. How long did you take off at the end of this season before getting back into a workout?

A. I took about 3 weeks off, then slowly got my body going again. 

Q. Do you change your diet in the off season?

A. I probably eat less carbs as I don't need quite as much fuel during the season than the off season.  I also try to eat all natural and organic foods as much as I can.

Q. What has Coach Bertani helped you with during this off season training that you feel will benefit you come next season?

A. I learned a lot about how to use my edges more efficiently and also to be able to turn faster.  Coach Bertani has also helped me to lengthen my stride by certain drills we did.  I feel all those things will benefit me this upcoming season.

Q. Did you get to see any of Pittsburgh during your visit?

A. Yeah, I got to see downtown Pittsburgh and some of the surrounding areas.  Downtown was really cool and Pittsburgh exceeded my expectations.

Q. What are you looking forward to most for next season?

A. I am most looking forward to an opportunity to make the Islanders and get into the NHL.

The end of the season for Bridgeport

Last weekend I was in Bridgeport for the Sound Tigers final game of their 10th Anniversary season.  They played the Albany Devils on Sunday, April 10.  Goalie Mikko Koskinen had 46 saves - a season high.  Jeremy Colliton was awarded the Sound Tigers all time leading scorer award at the beginning of the game, along with receiving the first star for that afternoons game.  The AHL All-Star and All-Rookie honor award went to Rhett Rakhshani this season as he led the Sound Tigers in goals, assists, and points. Final 4-3 Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Mascot, Storm

Assistant Coach Matt Bertani

Sound Tiger President Howard Saffan and Jeremy Colliton

First star recipient Jeremy Colliton

On March 19, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers beat the Manchester Monarchs in overtime.  With 3:35 left in regulation Tony Romano tied it up 1-1.  In overtime, Justin DiBenedetto scored 1:37 minutes in, to earn the Sound Tigers the two points.  In goal that evening was Nathan Lawson who had 38 saves.  Final 2-1 Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Justin DiBenedetto celebrating after scoring the winning goal in overtime.

The Sound Tigers took on the Charlotte Checkers on March 18. With the Checkers leading 2-1, Rob Hisey forced the game into overtime scoring a shorthanded goal with 22.3 seconds left in regulation.  After a scoreless 5 minutes of over time,  the Checkers then took home the win in the sixth round of the shootout. Final 3-2 Charlotte Checkers.

AHL All-Star and All-Rookie, Rhett Rakhshani

Rally Caps!

Sound Tigers Go Pink

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers took on the Norfolk Admirals for the second time in one weekend on Jaunary 15th.  This time, on pink ice.  The Admirals participate in an annual "Pink in the Rink" event where the ice is dyed pink to bring awareness to breast cancer and to help raise money for the Tidewater branch of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Some players on both teams even taped their sticks pink for the occasion.

You'll note the fourth photo, Dustin Tokarski is the Admirals goalie. No relation (that I know of.)  But I couldn't help but get a shot of the name.  Bridgeport's goalie, Joel Martin, who recently signed to a two-way contract and was assigned to Bridgeport, had 48 saves that night in his first start as a Sound Tiger, thats a season high for the team.  The Sound Tigers lost that evening 3-2 despite Martin's saves.

On Saturday, Ty Wishart (in photographs two and five) made his NHL debut with the New York Islanders against the Ottawa Senators.  Wishart had a two-assist night, and Islanders Head Coach Jack Capuano said, "For the speedy bunch of forwards that he had tonight I thought he played really well.  He was composed, he moved the puck, and he kept it simple.  He was pretty impressive to tonight."  The Isles went on to win 5-3.

In other Bridgeport/Islander news, goalie Mikko Koskinen (photo nine) was recalled from Bridgeport on February 5th.

Ty Wishart

Goalies Mikko Koskinen and Joel Martin.

Between the 2nd and 3rd period a jersey issue calls for the sewing machine to be brought out as the equipment manager goes to work.

Islanders goaltender Kevin Poulin and forward Jeremy Colliton

These photos are from my trip to Bridgeport, CT in November.  I decided now is a great time to post these because the goalie featured, 20 year old Kevin Poulin, was recently called up to the New York Islanders.  Poulin made his NHL debut Friday, January 7th, to relieve goaltender Nathan Lawson, when the Isles took on the Edmonton Oilers but then lost 2-1.  There he made 19 saves.  Poulins first NHL win was earned against the Colorado Avalanche in Colorado, the very next day.  The Islanders left with a 4-3 win in overtime.  Poulin had 34 saves.
The photos also feature forward Jeremy Colliton (wearing the A in the Sound Tiger jersey), in November he was signed to a one year, two-way NHL/AHL contract.  His rookie season was in 2005-06 where he played 19 games with the Islanders.  Recently, he was called up again on Friday, January 7th to replace Frans Nielsen who was questionable because of a groin injury.  Colliton scored two goals during the Avalanche game on Saturday to assist with their win.

In the game below, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers won against the Portland Pirates 3-0.  Also, please note one of the best fans I have ever seen below.  This kid was screaming for "Storm" the Sound Tigers mascot at the top of his lungs.

Architecture, Ferrys, Beach, and Gracie.

Here goes round 2 of the Connecticut photos.  While we were there we took a drive up to New Haven to check out Yale University.  The architecture was beautiful and the weather was perfect to walk around taking pictures.  Also, close to my Uncles house is the Steelpointe Harbor.  A ferry ride to Long Island is just an hour away.  I snapped a few cool photos there before I got asked to put my camera away!  My next stop was Fairfield beach early one morning.  My Uncle and his girlfriend have the best dog ever, Gracie. We took her to play and it was chillllly and windy.  But Gracie had fun in the water.  I love this place!

(I just couldn't help but add this one on. Right smack dab in the middle of the bed. Hahahah.)