One chapter ends, and another begins as the Bridgeport Islanders have played their final game

After 25 years of hockey in Bridgeport, CT, the book has closed on Islanders/Sound Tigers hockey. The Bridgeport Islanders, the NY Islanders AHL affiliate, fell to the Hershey Bears 5-2 in Game 2 of their best-of-three series, eliminating the Islanders.

After a historically bad 2024-25 season, the B-Isles under new Head Coach Rocky Thompson, turned things around, earning the fourth seed in the Atlantic Division and a birth in the Calder Cup playoffs.

The B-Isles have played their final game

With an improved roster and some late-season additions, including Cole Eiserman, Victor Eklund, and Cal Ritchie, who reported following his season in the NHL, there was potential for this team to make a run, but their season will end sooner than they had hoped.

After dropping Game 1 at home, which proved to be the final game at Total Mortgage Arena, 2-0, the B-Islanders needed Game 2 to keep their season alive. Trailing 3-1 heading into the third period, Ritchie brought the Islanders within one, but an empty-net goal by Sonny Milano with just over two minutes remaining and another goal from Bogdan Trineyev 29 seconds later slammed the door.

Following tonight's final whistle, Jason Shaya, Broadcaster for the B-Isles, paid tribute to the city of Bridgeport and the fans who have supported the franchise for the past 25 years.

The Islanders' AHL affiliate will play its home games next season in Hamilton, ON, at the TD Coliseum, a newly renovated arena with an 18,000-seat capacity. It was reported yesterday that Islanders ownership filed for three trademarks, hinting at potential names following relocation: Havoc, Mustangs, and Hammers.

Having the AHL affiliate just a couple of hours up the road from Long Island has been a blessing. But a new era will begin in 2026-27, and Hamilton should expect a highly motivated group of players hitting the ice for the inaugural season.

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