Based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers are a professional ice hockey team. They play in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the American Hockey League and are affiliated with the NHL’s New York Islanders. Founded in 2001, the team joined the AHL, the same year, and made the Webster Bank Arena its new home. To catch live the exciting action from the Sound Tigers’ games, buy Bridgeport Sound Tigers tickets, and watch as they try to convert their consistency in the league, into a cup winning season.
History:
The franchise was established in 2001 by Charles Wang and immediately became a member of the American Hockey League. They initially joined the East Division of the Eastern Conference and Steve Stirling became the new franchise’s first coach. He led the team to a very successful inaugural season, in which they stood first in their division and won the division championship. The team negotiated the playoffs, and went on to win the Eastern Conference championship. However they were beaten in the Calder Cup finals 4-1 by Chicago Wolves.
The team managed to make it to the playoffs in their next two seasons as well, before registering their first losing season. But the Sound Tigers made a strong comeback in the 2005-2006 Season where they once again featured in the post season, but were beaten in the first round after a tense seven match series against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Since that season, the team has had an up-and-down journey in the league. They were able to make it to the playoffs three more times, but were beaten in the first round matches each time.
But for a team so accustomed to winning, these lean times can be taken as a springboard for the team to regain its form and winning ways. The players have already made a positive start to the new season, with Ryan Storme leading the league in terms of statistics, as the best skater.
Rivals:
The team’s main rivals are the Hartford Wolf Pack, which are also based in Connecticut. The rivalry is twofold because of the geographical proximity, and also because of the fact that both teams’ parent NHL teams are rivals as well. The Wolf Pack are affiliated with the New York Rangers, who are the main NHL rivals of the New York Islanders. Games between the Wolf Pack and the Sound Tigers have become known as the Battle of Connecticut.
The team’s other main rivals are the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, who are affiliated with the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. Their rivalry has stemmed in recent years due to their multiple meetings in the playoffs, all of which the Penguins have been able to win so far.
Bridgeport Sound Tigers tickets will allow you to catch these interesting rivalries unfold, along with numerous other exciting matches from the AHL, as the Sound Tigers try to regain lost glory and re-establish themselves as a hockey force to be reckoned with.