Pirates Defeat Manchester 3-2 in a Shootout

Published on February 6, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME - Trent Whitfield scored the game-winning goal on the Pirates final shot in the shootout as the Pirates beat the Manchester Monarchs 3-2 in front of 5,476 fans at the Cumberland County Civic Center on Saturday night.

The Monarchs jumped out to the early lead just 3:32 into the first period on Connor James first goal of the season. A terrific pass set up the play from Petr Kanko at the top of the blue line. Kanko zinged a pass to the slot andright on the tape on James stick. He then quickly redirected the puck past the glove of Kirk Daubenspeck to the back of the net. The goal ended Daubenspeck's shutout streak at 143:32.

The Pirates answered with a powerplay goal late in the first period by Boyd Gordon. Brian Sutherby fired the initial shot from the top of the crease and Gordon pounced on the rebound and shot the puck past the blocker of Mathieu Garon to tie the game 1-1. The goal for Gordon was his team-leading twelfth of the season.

Manchester's Connor James would strike again in the second period as he scored his second goal of the night to put Manchester back in front 2-1. This time James was the beneficiary of the end of a loose rebound off the right pad of Daubenspeck. Jared Aulin had just come out of the box from serving a high-sticking penalty and just as he came back on the ice James swatted the puck past Daubenspeck. Tim Gleason and Joe Rullier each had assists on the Monarchs go ahead goal.

The Pirates would strike back to tie the game late in the second period at the 18:43 mark. Graham Mink grabbed a loose rebound off to the right of Garon as Mink scored his eleventh goal of the season and tied the game at 2-2. Brian Sutherby and Owen Fussey both had assists on the goal extending both of their points scoring streaks to four games.

After a scoreless third period and overtime the two teams went to a shootout. In the shootout, Manchester's Matt Ryan and Jeff Miles both scored to give the Monarchs a quick 2-0 lead. However, the Pirates were relentless and scored three consecutive goals by Jared Aulin, Jakub Klepis and the game winner on the final shot by Trent Whitfield as the Pirates claimed the 3-2 victory.

Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game: 1. Connor James (MAN) 2. Graham Mink (POR) 3. Jakub Cutta (POR)

The Pirates next home game will be on Thursday, February 17 against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins at 7:05 p.m. at the Cumberland County Civic Center. For tickets call the Civic Center box office at 775-3458.



American Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2005


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