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Bears Double-up Pirates for Weekend Sweep

November 21, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Hershey, PA - Chris Bourque notched a goal and an assist to help lead the Hershey Bears (9-5-0-3) to a 4-2 victory over the Portland Pirates (7-8-0-0) on Saturday night at the Giant Center to complete a two-game weekend sweep. The victory for the Bears was their third straight and gave the Bears a split of the four-game season series with Portland. The defeat was Portland's second in a row as they finished their four-game road trip with a 2-2-0-0 record.

Hershey scored three times in the first period to take control of the game. Bourque opened the scoring with his sixth goal of the season and second in as many days. Nathan Walker and Ryan Stanton got assists of the goal at 8:42.

Portland got into penalty trouble late in the period, as consecutive penalties on Greg McKegg and Cameron Gaunce put the Pirates down by two skaters.

Bourque would set up Dustin Boyd for a five-on-three power play goal at 17:44 of the first period. Boyd's second marker of the season was also assisted by Aaron Ness.

Just 15 seconds later, former Portland Pirate Chris Brown scored his first of the season on assists from Riley Barber and Sean Collins.

Pirates starting goalie Sam Brittain was replaced by Mike McKenna at the start of the second period, and though Portland outshot Hershey 9-6 in the frame, the Bears tacked on another goal at 11:34 of the when Paul Carey tipped a Stanton shot by McKenna for his sixth goal of the season. Chandler Stephenson also notched an assist.

Down 4-0 to the start the third period, Brittain went back into the game and didn't give up a goal on 11 shots against in the last 20 minutes.

Portland would get a couple of late goals, starting with a Kyle Rau rebound shot that beat Bears goalie Dan Ellis just below the crossbar at 17:16 of the third. Rau's seventh goal of the season was set up by Chase Balisy and Gaunce.

After Hershey took back-to-back penalties 20 seconds apart, the Pirates pulled Brittain to gain a three skater advantage. Logan Shaw would bury a power play goal for his seventh of the year at 18:13 from Sena Acolatse and McKegg.

But, the Pirates could get no closer. Ellis made 25 saves and improved to 5-3-1. Brittain made 16 saves in 40 minutes of action and took the loss, falling to 1-3-0. McKenna made five saves in 20 minutes and didn't factor in the decision.

The Pirates went 1-for-6 on the power play, while the Bears were 2-for-5.

The Pirates return home to the Cross Insurance Arena for two games on Black Friday Weekend against the Utica Comets on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28, both at 7:00 p.m. Saturday night's game is the Pirates' Annual Teddy Bear Toss Game. Bring a new stuffed toy to the game and throw it on the ice when the Pirates score their first goal. All donations will go to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital.

Pirates Holiday Packs are now on Sale! Get one while they last by calling 207-PIRATES or visiting portlandpirates.com!

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