Islanders prospects daily: Matias Rajaniemi’s ghost goal

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KELOWNA, BC – MARCH 02: Reece Newkirk #12 sits on the boards after fist bumping Jake Gricius #14 of the Portland Winterhawks to celebrate a goal against the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place on March 2, 2019 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /

Prospects (and players in the system) in Action Today

Reece Newkirk (Portland Winterhawks)
Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Reece Newkirk is finally back in action! Or at least he should. I haven’t seen a lineup card yet (puck drop is at 10 PM EST), but I would imagine he made the trek from Saskatchewan to Portland for the start of the WHL season.

His loan with the Melville Millionaires was productive albeit short (12 points in six games). He’s had two strong seasons for Portland and will be hoping for a third strong year before likely going pro at the end of the year.

Last season, Newkirk (a fifth-round pick in 2019), had 65 points in 55 games.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are on the ice today. They’re on a three-game losing streak right now. Thankfully, they are playing the Hartford Wolf Pack. With a 3-5-0-0 record, the Rangers farm is within the Sound Tigers weight class, unlike the Providence Bruins who are one of the better teams in the lower league.

Leading the way for the Sound Tigers in points is rookie Samuel Bolduc who picked up his sixth point on the season. Guys like AJ Greer and Tom Kuhnhackl haven’t been as productive as expected, combining for three points on the year.

With better play from the vets the Sound Tigers could start stringing together a few wins, or at least look more competitive out there.