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Pirates' Comeback Falls Short in Hartford

December 28, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Hartford, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack (17-10-2-2) picked up a goal and an assist from Sean O'Donnell and 26 saves from rookie goalie Mackenzie Skapski at the XL Center Saturday night as Hartford defeated the Portland Pirates (15-15-1-0) by a score of 3-1. Jordan Martinook tallied the Pirates' only goal of the night.

Hartford jumped on the board first midway through the first period after Portland failed to clear the puck from their defensive zone. After Michael Kostka held the puck in at the left point, he fired a shot that was stopped by Pirates goalie Mike McKenna. But, McKenna was unable to control the rebound and Hartford's Joey Crabb notched his fourth goal of the season at 9:14. Oscar Lindberg also picked up an assist.

The game remained 1-0 until the early portion of the second period, when O'Donnell led a two-on-one breakaway and dropped the puck to defenseman Mat Bodie trailing the play. Bodie fired a hard one-timer that trickled past McKenna at 5:30 of the middle period. Danny Kristo also assisted on Bodie's third goal of the year.

O'Donnell netted his first of the season later in the second when he tipped a Chris Mueller pass out of the air in front of McKenna and into the net. Ryan Bourque also was given credit for a helper at 8:54 of the second period.

Martinook notched his goal by finishing off a pass from Justin Hodgman at the right post just 36 seconds into the third period to give Portland momentum. Henrik Samuelsson was also given an assist on the play.

Portland outshot Hartford 11-7 in the final 20 minutes. But, despite some very good scoring chances, the Pirates were unable to beat Skapski again.

Both teams ended the night with 27 shots on goal. Skapski (7-5-1) made 26 saves to pick up the win, while McKenna (10-12-1) made 24 saves in the defeat.

Mike Lee was Portland's backup goalie on the night, marking the first time he suited up for a Portland Pirates game since December 6, 2013. He had surgery that ended his season after that appearance. He played three games with the ECHL's Gwinnett Gladiators while on a rehab stint over the last couple of weeks before he was recalled by the Pirates this past week.

The defeat ends a streak of two games in which Portland hadn't lost in regulation. They are now winless in seven of their last eight contests. The Wolf Pack are now without a regulation loss in their last three games. Hartford has won both games in the season series thus far, taking the only other meeting on October 18 by a 2-1 score at XL Center.

The Pirates are back in action on the road again tomorrow, taking on the Manchester Monarchs in Game 6 of the VIP Cup Series, presented by VIP Tires & Service, from Verizon Wireless Arena at 3:00 p.m. You can catch all the action with the "Voice of the Pirates," Jeff Mannix, beginning with the Pirates Pregame Show on the WPEI Portland Pirates Radio Network at 2:40.

The Pirates return home to the Cross Insurance Arena for their annual New Year's Eve celebration on Wednesday, December 31 at 5:30 p.m. against the Hartford Wolf Pack. Call 207-PIRATES (747-2837) or go online to portlandpirates.com today to purchase your New Year's Pack, which includes two tickets to the New Year's Eve game and post-game indoor fireworks show, and two tickets to the New Year's Eve celebration at Family Ice in Falmouth! Holiday Packs are also still available.



American Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2014


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