IceCaps Sink Pirates with Sawada's Late Goal

Published on April 9, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


St. John's, NL - The Portland Pirates came from two goals down to tie the game in the third, but failed to capitalize as they ultimately dropped a 3-2 decision to the St. John's IceCaps in front of a sold out crowd at the MileOne Centre in St. John's. The Pirates magic number to clinch a playoff spot remains 7 points.

Cody Sol opened the scoring, tallying his first career goal with 8:03 left in the first to put the IceCaps up 1-0. Both Vinny Saponari and Matthew Kirzinger picked up assists on Sol's goal, their first career points. The Pirates had opportunities to tie the game, including a 5 on 3 power play, but failed to score and the period ended with the Pirates trailing 1-0.

The IceCaps extended their lead early in the second. Josh Lunden tallied the power play goal and just 1:04 into the second on a power play that carried over from the first period, giving the IceCaps the 2-0 lead. Phil Lane then struck for the Pirates, his 11th of the year, with 8:42 left in the second to cut the deficit to 1, and the second period came to a close with the Pirates behind 2-1.

The Pirates got the equalizer in the third, with Brendan Shinnimin scoring on the power play with 9:37 left in regulation. Shinnimin's 12th goal of the year tied the game at two. However, just 2 minutes later, the IceCaps went ahead to stay. Ray Sawada redirected a shot from former UMaine Black Bear Travis Ramsey with 7:26 left in regulation to give St. John's the lead. Despite an onslaught of chances from the Pirates in the waning seconds of the game, IceCaps goaltender Mark Dekanich stood strong and shut the Pirates down for the remainder of the game, giving the IceCaps the victory.

The Pirates fall to 38-27-3-2 on the season, with Mark Visentin dropping to 13-12-1. Portland's magic number to clinch a 2013 Calder Cup playoff spot remains 7, and they remain 3 points back of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the 5th spot in the east and 3 points ahead of the Connecticut Whale.

The Pirates get back to action tomorrow night as they cap their 2 game series as well as the season series in St. John's. Puck drop is 6:00 EDT. The game can be heard on 1310 AM WLOB, and online on portlandpiratesradio.com and AHL Live, with the pregame show starting with 5:40 with Jeff Mannix.

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