Lane Hat Trick Lifts Pirates over Whale

April 20, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Portland, ME - Pirates forward Phil Lane scored his first career hat trick and Pirate goaltender Mike Lee made 31 saves as the Portland Pirates defeated the Connecticut Whale 5-1 in front of 6,085 fans at the Cumberland County Civic Center for their regular season home finale.

The Pirates has now won three straight while the Whale has now dropped their last 6 decisions.

The Pirates took a 1-0 lead just 6:59 into the game when defensemen Boris Valabik fired a shot from the point and Lane redirected it pass Whale goalie Cam Talbot legs. David Rundblad was also credited with an assist on Lane's goal, his 12th of the year. The Pirates extended the lead to two when Troy Bodie was able to put home a rebound off a Brodeur slap shot from the point with 3:23 left in the period. It was Bodie 7th goal of the season and 3rd since being loaned to the Pirates. Justin Feser also picked up an assist on the goal, his second career point. Lane extended the Pirates' lead to three just 16 seconds later, beating Talbot with a backhand for his second goal of the game. Chris Brown wash credited with an assist. After the goal Talbot was pulled in favor of Jason Missiaen with 3:07 left in the period.

The Connecticut Whale cut the lead to two with 10:53 left in the second when Marek Hrivik scored on the deflection past Lee. Benn Ferriero and J.T. Miller receive assists on the goal. It was Hrivik's 7th goal of the season. The Whale outshot the Pirates 17 to 11 in the second period but only managed the lone goal as Lee stood strong in net.

The Pirates took a 4-1 lead when Miele receive a pass from Bodie at the hash marks and fired a wrist shot high glove side pass Missiaen with 9:41 left in regulation. for his 19th goal of the season. The Pirates extended the lead to four when Lane completed his hat trick with 6:52 left in the game when he put home a rebound that came from a Miele shot. It was Lane 14th goal of the season.

The Pirates improve to 41-29-3-2, while the Whale falls to a 35-32-6-3 on the year. Lee improves to 9-5-0 on the season with the win, stopping 31 of the 32 shots he faced, while Talbot falls to 25-28-1 stopping 13 of 16 shots for the Whale while Missiaen made 21 saves in relief.

The Pirates are back in action tomorrow as they travel to take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the Webster Bank Arena. Puck drop is set for 3 PM. Sunday's game can be heard on WPEI 95.5 and 95.9, and online on portlandpiratesradio.com and AHL Live, with the pregame show starting at 2:40 with Jeff Mannix.



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