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Pirates Get Point in 4-3 Overtime Loss to Falcons

February 25, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Springfield, Massachusetts - The Pirates fought back from a 3-0 deficit to grab a point before falling 4-3 in overtime to the Falcons. Mark Mancari had a goal and an assist in the win while Nathan Gerbe scored two assists.

The Falcons jumped ahead just 2:00 into play when Ryan Potulny took a pass in the slot and switched to the backhand at the bottom of the right circle, beating Kellen Briggs over the glove. Rob Schremp and Shane Willis picked up assists on Potulny's 24th of the yar. Springfield stretched the lead to 2-0 when Gilbert Brule and Charles Linglet slipped behind the defense during a Pirates power play for a 2-on-none. Brule gave the pick to Linglet on the left side, and Linglet returned the feed to Brule who tipped it home for his 12th goal of the season. Linglet picked up the only assist at 12:14. Springfield took the 2-0 lead into the intermission.

Early in the second period, Springfield used a power play and some nifty passing to extend the lead to 3-0. Schremp took the puck on the left wing and sent it cross ice to Taylor Chorney. The defensemen crossed the puck to the left doorstep for Willis, who slammed it home for his second goal of the season. Portland came roaring back in the second period though, as Mathieu Darche scored his 18th goal of the season by jamming a rebound home after a right wing shot from Nathan Gerbe. Gerbe and Mark Mancari assisted Darche's 18th goal of the season on a power play and the Pirates cut it to 3-1 at 3:57 of the second. Later in the same period, Darche had the puck behind the net and centered it to Colton Fretter in the high slot. Fretter took a one timer and beat Springfield goaltender Dany Sabourin up high for his 18th goal of the season. Darche and Marc-Andre Gragnani earned assists at 13:41 and the Pirates cut it to 3-2. Portland headed into the third down one goal.

Early in the third period, the Pirates utilized the power play to tie the game at 3. Mark Mancari took a slap shot from the center point and overpowered Sabourin. Mancari's 23rd goal of the season was assisted by Nathan Gerbe and Mike Kostka 36 seconds into the final period. Neither team could break the tie in regulation so they headed to overtime tied 3-3.

It took just 15 seconds of overtime to settle the score, as Cody Wild raced down the left wing and stickhandled his way towards the front of the net. He deked and got Briggs down then slid the puck along the goal line and into the net to give his Falcons a 4-3 overtime win. The Pirates picked up a point in the effort, thanks to three straight goals in the second and third periods.

Portland goaltender Kellen Briggs stopped 19 of 23 shots in his AHL debut and took the overtime loss. Springfield netminder Dany Sabourin stopped 30 of 33 shots sent his way to earn the win.

Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game: 1. Cody Wild (SPR) 2. Gilbert Brule (SPR) 3. Mark Mancari (POR)

Notes: Tim Kennedy and Mike Weber missed the game with injuries...The Pirates are winless in five straight games...Attendance: 2,216

The Pirates next game is Friday, February 27th at 7:05 pm at the Worcester Sharks. Fans can follow the Pirates on U.S. Cellular Pirates Radio Network or watch the game LIVE on the internet courtesy of AHL Live by clicking the icon on the left side of the home page. The U.S. Cellular Pirates Radio Network includes the Pirates flagship station, the Bay 1400AM and 1490AM (Portland) and affiliates WEZR 1240 AM (Lewiston-Auburn), WTME 780AM (Rumford) and WKTQ 1450AM (South Paris).

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