Pirates Beat Bruins 5-2, Extend Atlantic Division Lead

November 15, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Portland, ME - The Pirates extended their Atlantic Division lead to six points with a 5-2 win over the Providence Bruins. Mathieu Darche scored two goals and an assist while Adam Dennis stopped 27 of 29 shots he faced in the victory.

The Bruins scored first 7:25 into the first period when Martins Karsums scored his sixth of the year by taking a feed from Martin St. Pierre and putting a one-timer into an open net as Pirates goaltender Adam Dennis couldn't slide across in time. Vladimir Sobotka picked up the other assist. Portland came right back 18 seconds later when Felix Schutz deflected a Tyler Bouck shot past Tuukka Rask. Marc-Andre Gragnani earned the second assist. The score would stay tied at one heading into the second period.

Aaron Slattengren broke the tie early in the second period as he banked a shot off a defensemen in front for his third goal of the year. Marek Zagrapan and Nathan Gerbe grabbed assists on the play as the Pirates picked up a 2-1 lead. That would be the lone tally of the second period, and the Pirates would look to stay perfect on the season when leading after two.

In the last period, Mark Mancari opened the period with his 11th goal of the season from Mathieu Darche. Mancari's goal extended his goal-scoring streak to six games and his point-streak to seven contests. Providence wasn't ready to go away just yet however, as Adam McQuaid scored on a shot from the point that deflected off Darche and past Adam Dennis. Martin St. Pierre and Martins Karsums got the assists. Darche wouldn't allow the comeback to gain any momentum though. 66 seconds later, Darche scored his fifth goal of the season from Tim Kennedy. Darche put the final nail in the coffin a few minutes later as the duo hooked up again. Kennedy sent a feed into the slot and Darche one-timed it home. Mike Kostka got the second assist. Darche now has six goals and five assists in his last six games.

Adam Dennis made 27 saves on 29 shots for the Pirates and picked up the win to improve to 5-1-0-0. Tuukka Rask stopped 28 of 33 shots he faced, but fell to 6-4-0-0.

Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game: 1. Mathieu Darche (POR) 2. Adam Dennis (POR) 3. Felix Schutz (POR)

Notes The Pirates won their seventh straight game and earned at least a point for the tenth straight time... Mark Mancari has a point in seven straight games and a goal in six consecutive contests... Mathieu Darche scored two goals and an assist and now has six goals and five assists in his last six games....Attendance: 5,249.

The Pirates will be back in action Wednesday, November 18th at the Hartford Wolf Pack. 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).



American Hockey League Stories from November 15, 2008


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