BRIDGEPORT — Goals are going to come for Luch Aquino, especially this year, when he's a little more mature and will get a lot more Bridgeport Sound Tigers ice time.

The first one came Sunday in the season opener, although not exactly as he'd draw it up. Moving the puck out of the right corner on a power play, Aquino was looking back-door to Allan Rourke, but the puck caromed in off a defenseman. Aquino pumped his fists skyward, credited with his first professional goal in his 13th AHL game. "The coaches told me all week to put the puck to the net," Aquino said. There's little doubt about Aquino's offensive abilities. When the 5-foot-9, 200-pound forward returned to junior hockey last winter after 12 games here and three more in the ECHL, he scored 72 points — including 28 goals — in just 32 games.

"He's really good at the big things," Bridgeport coach Dan Marshall said. "He brings energy. He's a fast skater. He plays hard. He shoots well. He's got to become much better at the little things in the game."

Marshall said a lot of improvement for Aquino, 21, must come off the ice: studying the game, following the lead of the team's veterans. Aquino, who was the Islanders' seventh-round pick in the 2005 draft, has a handle on that. He has a few away-from-the-puck things on which he wants to work this season. "Keep your head on a swivel," Aquino said. "Confidence in my own zone. If you play well defensively, you're going to get good chances offensively."

Aquino

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started last season in Bridgeport, assisting on the team's first goal of the season, but he received limited playing time. He was assigned to Trenton in November and returned to his junior team in Brampton, Ontario, soon after. That was tough on him, and he's hoping things work out better this time.

"Stay positive throughout the whole year," Aquino said. "There's going to be ups and downs like every year. This year, I'm prepared."

NOTES — Robert Nilsson returned to practice after a day off. ... The Rinks Rebels are selling tickets to the Sound Tigers' Oct. 22 game against Springfield, designated "Pink Rink Night" to benefit the American Cancer Society. Tickets are $15, with $7 going to ACS. Contact Val Sielert or Sara Seaburg at rebelshockeyclub@aol.com.