Wolf Pack Fall to Islanders 5-2 in Final Battle of Connecticut

For the final time, the AHL's two Connecticut-based franchises faced off. The Hartford Wolf Pack welcomed the Bridgeport Islanders to the PeoplesBank Arena for the final installment of the Battle of Connecticut ahead of the Isles' move to Hamilton, Ontario, next season.

The Islanders struck early and often on their way to winning the final battle. A four-goal first period was enough to give the visitors a 5-2 decision in the final rivalry matchup.

Bryce, Bryce, Baby

The Islanders opened the scoring just 2:44 into the contest. A two-minute hooking penalty against Trey Fix-Wolansky and a Carey Terrance double minor for high-sticking gave Bridgeport a five-on-three power play bid. Victor Ekulnd deflected a feed from Ethan Bear over Callum Tung to give the visitors a lead they wouldn't lose.

Liam Foudy tallied the second power play goal of the night just over a minute later. Foudy gained the zone and took a shot from the slot that fooled Tung and found the back of the net to make it 2-0.

A neutral zone turnover allowed Matthew Maggio to snipe a shot up high just over the 12 minute mark, making it a three-goal Islander lead.

Adam Beckman gave Bridgeport their largest lead of the night, scoring off the rush to push the lead to four.

However, the Wolf Pack would get on the board with just a minute to play in the first period. A tripping call against Isaiah George gave the Wolf Pack their second power play bid of the night. On the man advantage, Aidan Thompson gained the zone and found Casey Fitzgerald powering down low. The Wolf Pack captain took the puck below the red line before slipping the puck to Bryce McConnell-Barker, stationed in front of the net. McConnell-Barker scored the easy tap in past Semyon Varlamov to cut into the lead.

The goal was McConnell-Barker's 14th of the season, and it represented his 10th point in his last 11 games. Bridgeport took the 4-1 lead into the first intermission.

Thanks for the Memories

After the opening frame, Spencer Martin replaced Tung in net. The veteran netminder would slam the door shut from there, stopping all 11 shots he faced.

Fix-Wolansky would pot his 28th goal of the season to cut the lead to two, streaking into the zone and sniping a shot by Varlamov. However, that was as close as the Wolf Pack would get. Luke Rowe notched the empty netter to seal the 5-2 win for Bridgeport in the final Battle of Connecticut.

The game ends the 25 year rivalry between the Connecticut franchises, with the Isles set to move to Hamilton next season. In 254 games against each other, the Wolf Pack won 136 while the Islanders won 115. The rivals tied three times.

Up Next

The Wolf Pack will cap off the 2025-26 season with a home-and-home set against the Springfield Thunderbirds this weekend. Hartford will welcome the T-Birds to the PeoplesBank Arena on Friday for the final home game of the campaign. Puck drop is set for 7 pm.

The sides will meet for a rematch in Springfield on Saturday in the regular season finale for both teams. Puck drop is set for 6:05 pm.