Rick DiPietro mum after reporting to Bridgeport

Rick DiPietro reported to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Tuesday, but there wasn't much beyond that to report.

DiPietro declined to speak with the media at Bridgeport's practice, his first day with the AHL squad after clearing waivers and being assigned to the Isles' farm team Saturday.

Islanders general manager Garth Snow gave DiPietro the weekend off before reporting. Kenny Reiter, an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota-Duluth who had been playing mostly in the ECHL before being called up to Bridgeport a few weeks ago, started both Sound Tigers games in goal over the weekend after Kevin Poulin was called up to the Isles.

Steve Valiquette, the 35-year-old Isles goaltender consultant who retired after playing the 2011-12 season in Italy, signed a tryout deal so he could back up Reiter.

DiPietro might get his first AHL game Friday in Hartford against the Connecticut Whale, the Rangers' farm team.

Ullstrom in, Aucoin out

David Ullstrom returned to the lineup after sitting as a healthy scratch the previous four games. Keith Aucoin, who had four goals in his first seven games after being claimed off waivers from the Leafs, was a healthy scratch for the first time this season. He had one assist in his previous 12 games.

Eric Boulton and Joe Finley also were scratched, with Radek Martinek playing his second straight game.

Matt Carkner (lower body) has been off the ice the past few days after having resumed skating the previous week. No word on whether he suffered a setback. Carkner has been out since Feb. 7. Jesse Joensuu (sports hernia surgery) is also still off the ice, with no timetable for his return to on-ice rehab work.