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Did you see Mike Morrison’s stick save in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, or Scott Ford’s punishing body check in Albany? How about Steve Regier, smacking the puck out of mid-air to tie the game in Portland late in the third period? If not, it was all there on Sound TigersTV.

The 2007-08 season marked a technological milestone in the American Hockey League and leading the way were the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The team followed the newly beaten trail set by their NHL parent club, the New York Islanders, from the previous season by introducing a 24-hour-a-day Internet network for fans to view.

NeuLion, a technology company, laid the foundation for the video portal on the Sound Tigers’ web site. IslandersTV, which is run by V.P. of Communications Josh Bernstein, began prior to the 2006 NHL season with their focus on giving Islander fans an in depth look into their favorite team. With the emergence of shows such as “Islanders Today,” “The Shakey Show,” and in depth interviews with players, Islander fans were able to interact with their favorite players on a whole new level. The success of IslandersTV was proven by the millions of clicks the site received over the course of the season. Sound Tigers’ President, Howard Saffan recognized the emergence of IslandersTV and worked with Wang to ensure that Sound Tiger fans would have the same privilege the following season.

“We have a responsibility as an organization to provide our fans the highest level of entertainment both on and off the ice,” Saffan said. “NeuLion has provided us that technological edge. By utilizing Sound TigersTV, the players have become more personable, allowing fans to interact with them like never before.

With the guidance of Bernstein and Saffan, the ground-work was set for the Sound Tigers to become the first AHL team to introduce its fans to this incredible product. Sound TigersTV was launched on December 6, 2007, granting access to the team that no fan has ever been permitted to before.

The following day, Sound TigersTV boarded the bus to Springfield, MA as the Sound Tigers took on the Falcons. The following morning, fans were able to access the game highlights from the team’s 7-2 victory as well as post-game interviews with head coach Jack Capuano and several players.

Sound Tigers’ leading scorer this past season, Jeff Tambellini was exposed to IslandersTV at the inception and came to realize its value due to the overwhelming positive feedback from fans.

“I experienced IslandersTV my first season with the organization. It took a little while to get used to having the camera around constantly,” Tambellini said. “Playing in such a media crazed market at this level, you quickly adjust as the cameras and press are always around, so it actually has helped us to adapt.”

Sound TigersTV blossomed from there, implementing pre-game interviews, community relations events, player feature videos, and much more. One of the more popular shows was “Cribz,” where the players gave tours of their homes. The format of the show mirrored the MTV version as players were able to show a little of their personal side from the movies they like, the food they keep in their refrigerators, and the cars they drive. Another hit show was the “Mic’D Up.” Sound TigersTV followed Tambellini to the mid-season classic in Binghamton, NY where the All-Star was mic’d for both the Skills Competition and the actual game. Fans were able to listen in to sound-bytes from Tambellini and the various players he lined up both with and against.

“I had to realize I was wearing the microphone a couple of times, but it was a lot of fun,” Tambellini said of his All-Star weekend experience. “I am able to look back at it now whenever I want to watch the game or the skills competition. It was entertaining to see all the conversations I had.”

Expect the upcoming season to include these shows in addition to new features such as “One-Timers,” where fans will have the opportunity to prepare their own questions and ask their favorite player or coach and “You’ve Got Mail,” where players will deliver season tickets to fans. Fans will also receive locker-room tours of the Sound Tigers dressing-room at Arena at Harbor Yard and The Rinks at Shelton (official practice facility), as well as a guided tour of the Islanders’ facilities from one of the recent Sound Tiger graduates.

“Our fans are just as important to this organization as the players on the ice,” head coach Jack Capuano said. “Sound TigersTV opens the door for them to interact and get to know the players whom they support. This is what makes our fans want to come back for more and raises their excitement level.”

Whether it’s a slow day at work or you’re on vacation with your laptop, Sound TigersTV is available anywhere with an Internet connection. The quality of video that NeuLion has provided is state-of-the-art with the portal having the capability to stretch from half to full screen at the click of a button, without losing the key element of quality.

From editing the bloopers to riding the bus from Norfolk, VA to Portland, ME, the inaugural season of Sound TigersTV was a monumental one. With a full season under their belt, do not miss the new stage of Sound TigersTV as the team prepares to embark on its second season, broadcasting everything you need to know about your favorite team.