Pirates Earn First Win

Published on October 20, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME - The Portland Pirates picked up their first win of the 2003-2004 season, beating the Manchester Monarchs at the Cumberland County Civic Center last Saturday night. The win came on the heels of losses to the Monarchs and the Hartford Wolf Pack earlier in the week.

The win helped the Pirates avoid a new franchise record for losses to start a season and more importantly, will serve as a springboard to tough week ahead. The Pirates play three games in three nights, the first of 15 such stretches this season, beginning Friday when they host the St. John's Maple Leafs. On Saturday, the Pirates will venture down I-495 to face the Worcester IceCats. They'll return home on Sunday afternoon to host the Leafs again. The Pirates begin the week in seventh place in the AHL's Atlantic Division with a record of 1-4-0-0.

LAST WEEK:

Wednesday, October 15: Manchester 3, Pirates 1

The Pirates dropped a 3-1 decision to the Manchester Monarchs in their first of five visits to Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester. Both teams spent the first period trying to establish some sort of rhythm as referee Tom Kowal called 14 total penalties. That led to several four-on-fours and the Monarchs' first goal. Bryan Muir, who played two games for the Pirates during the 1998-99 season, finished off a rush by beating a screened Maxime Ouellet for his first goal of the year. The Monarchs doubled their lead midway through the second period. Off a face-off in the Pirates' zone, Joe Rullier wired a shot over the blocker arm of Ouellet. The beginning of the third period was delayed when a large hole that had formed at center ice during the second intermission had to be repaired. When the period finally started, the Pirates continued to battle for offensive chances. They finally cashed in during a powerplay in the late going. Graham Mink found Chris Hajt sneaking in from the left point and he blasted a shot past goalie Mathieu Chouinard to give the Pirates life. But just over three minutes later, the Pirates couldn't clear their zone and Scott Barney set up Smithson for the goal that made it 3-1.

Friday, October 17: Hartford 4, Pirates 1

The Wolf Pack spoiled the Pirates' home opener with a 4-1 win at the Cumberland County Civic Center. The Wolf Pack seized the advantage on a fluke goal. Jayme Filipowicz fired a shot from the point that hit the post and ricocheted off the feet of goalie Rastislav Stana before settling into the net. The lead jumped to 2-0 when Paul Healey tapped in the rebound of a Chad Wiseman shot with just 52 seconds remaining in the first. The Pack added to the lead in the second. Wiseman got free thanks to a nifty pass from Fedor Tjutin and slipped a shot between Stana and the left post. The Pirates got their goal early in the third. The Pack turned the puck over and Colin Forbes fed Ivan Ciernik who beat goalie Jason LaBarbera through the five-hole. The Pack closed the scoring with an empty net goal from Jed Ortmeyer with 1:15 remaining in the game.

Saturday, October 18: Pirates 2, Manchester 1 OT

The Pirates worked overtime to earn their first win of the season, beating Manchester in the weekend finale. As with their first four games of the season, the Pirates surrendered the first goal of the game. Pavel Rosa knocked home a rebound with just 62 seconds remaining in the first period. The Pirates replied on a powerplay in the second. Trent Whitfield took a pass from Colin Forbes at the goal line and went hard to the net, flipping the puck over goalie Mathieu Chouinard. Jason Ulmer also assisted. Maxime Ouellet had a strong game in net for the Pirates, stopping Steve Kelly on a rebound during a powerplay later in the second and then stuffing Jerred Smithson on a breakaway late in the third period. Those saves set the stage for Mink's heroics in overtime. The Pirates began the extra frame with a powerplay as Manchester's Dan Welch was given a penalty in the last minute of regulation. As that penalty expired and with the Pirates on the attack, Whitfield was crosschecked in front of the net, leading to the delayed penalty. J-F Fortin took a pass from Forbes at the top of the slot and blasted a shot that Mink redirected just inside the left post.

SHER-WOOD/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATION

The Portland Pirates nominated goaltender Maxime Ouellet as the Sher-Wood/AHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 19, 2003. In two games last week, Ouellet earned a win and a loss, stopping 72 of 76 shots for a 94.7% save percentage. On Wednesday, he made 30 saves in a 3-1 loss at Manchester. On Saturday, the native of Beauport, Quebec had 42 saves including a several game-saving stops in a 2-1 overtime win over the Monarchs. It was the Pirates' first win of the year. Although he is just 1-2-0 on the year, Ouellet has a sterling 1.99 goals against average and a stingy 0.945 save percentage.

PIRATES FACE FIRST THREE-IN-THREE WEEKEND

* Friday, October 24 vs. St. John's Maple Leafs, 7:05 PM

The Pirates and the Leafs play the first of four games this season on Friday night at the Civic Center. The Leafs are the only team in the AHL's Western Conference that the Pirates play this season. Last season, the Pirates were 2-1-0-1 against the Leafs including a record of 1-1-0-0 at home. All-time, the Pirates have a commanding lead in the series, posting a record of 34-17-7. Their record against the Leafs at home is even more impressive. The Pirates are 21-6-2 versus the Leafs on Civic Center ice. The Leafs are coming off a split of two games with the Manitoba Moose at Mile One Stadium in St. John's, Newfoundland. St. John's won 3-1 on Saturday night before falling 4-1 on Sunday afternoon. They begin the week tied for fourth place in the North Division with the Toronto Roadrunners with a record of 2-4-0-0. Last year, the Maple Leafs finished with a record of 32-40-6-2, good for eleventh place in the Eastern Conference. They did not make the Calder Cup Playoffs.

* Friday, October 25 at Worcester IceCats, 7:05 PM

The Pirates face-off against the IceCats for the first of ten times this season. Last year, the Pirates and 'Cats split the season series at 3-3-2-0. The Pirates went 3-0-1-0 against the IceCats in the final four meetings. They were 2-2-0-0 against Worcester at the Centrum Centre. All-time, the Pirates lead the series 40-34-10. They are 21-18-3 in games played in Worcester. The IceCats are tied for fifth place in the Atlantic Division to begin the week after posting a record of 1-3-1-0 in the first two weekends of the season. Last season, Worcester finished with a record of 35-27-15-3, good for 88 points, three ahead of the Pirates in the Eastern Conference. The IceCats lost to Binghamton 3-0 in the Quarterfinals of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Worcester will host the Springfield Falcons on Friday before welcoming the Pirates.

* Sunday, October 26 vs. St. John's Maple Leafs, 4:05 PM

The two teams will play their final game in Portland this season on Sunday. The Pirates venture to Newfoundland to complete the season series on February 27 and 28. The Leafs will have Saturday off before facing the Pirates on Sunday. It's also Crackers' 10th birthday party presented by Hannaford. Fans are encouraged to bring a present which will then be donated to the United Way of Greater Portland. There will be face painters, a 4-H petting zoo, a giant birthday card to sign and giant birthday cake baked by Hannaford to help celebrate this special day. The first 5,000 fans will receive "thunder sticks" as a party favor, courtesy of Hannaford Supermarkets. Crackers' birthday is also sponsored by WJBQ Q 97.9 and co-hosted by the Q's Frankie V.

SHIP'S LOG:

* The Pirates' win over Manchester was their first overtime win against the Monarchs all time. The Pirates were 0-4-4 in overtime against Manchester prior to Saturday night.

* Colin Forbes has points in three straight games since joining the team on October 15, 2003 at Manchester. He had two assists in Saturday's win, becoming the first Pirate to record multiple points in a game this season.

* Graham Mink had the game-winning goal for the Pirates in their victory over Manchester, their first game-winner. He also scored the first goal of the season for the Pirates back on October 10, 2003 at Lowell.

* The Pirates have killed 14 straight powerplays against dating back to October 11, 2003.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2003


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