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Pirates Make Crunch Walk the Plank in Syracuse

November 18, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Syracuse, NY - Rob Schremp scored his seventh goal of the season in his first game near his hometown in nearly a decade to help lead the Portland Pirates (7-6-0-0) to a 4-1 win over the Syracuse Crunch (7-5-0-1) at the Onondaga County War Memorial Arena at OnCenter on Wednesday night. Chase Balisy dished out two assists in the Pirates fourth consecutive victory.

Portland began the scoring just 1:37 into the game when Shane Harper stole the puck from Syracuse forward Matthew Peca in the Crunch zone and slid it in front to Connor Brickley, who one-timed the puck past Kristers Gudlevskis for his first goal of the season with Portland.

Schremp, a native of nearby Fulton, New York, notched his goal at 12:09 of the first period when he picked the short side corner on Gudlevskis from the right circle. Logan Shaw picked up the only assist on the play.

Portland held their two-goal lead into the second period. Pirates goalie Mike McKenna preserved the lead a little more than three minutes into the period when he gloved a shot by Crunch forward Tye McGinn on a Syracuse three-on-zero breakaway.

Mike Matheson added to Portland's lead at 13:36 of the second when he finished off a two-on-one with a shot high to the stick side on Gudlevskis after breaking down the right side. Balisy picked up his first assist of the night on the play.

Philippe Paradis broke up McKenna's shutout bid at 7:59 of the third period with his third goal of the season with assists from Tanner Richard and Yanni Gourde.

The Pirates capped the scoring with 35 seconds to go when Brett Olson scored a power play goal into an empty net. Olson's first as a Pirates player was assisted by Cameron Gaunce and Balisy.

McKenna stopped 20 shots to win his fourth straight start and improve to 6-4-0. Gudlevskis made 21 saves and dropped to 3-2-0.

Portland was 1-for-3 on the power play, while Syracuse was 0-for-2. The defeat snapped a three-game winning streak for the Crunch.

Tonight's game was the first meeting between AHL affiliates of the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning since November 18, 2006 when the Rochester Americans (Panthers) defeated the Springfield Falcons (Lightning) 8-0 in Rochester.

The Pirates' road trip will continue on Friday night when Portland plays the first of a two-game series against the Hershey Bears from the Giant Center at 7:00 p.m. "Voice of the Pirates" Jeff Mannix calls all the action, beginning with the Pirates Pregame Show, Served by Dunkin Donuts, at 6:40 on the WPEI Portland Pirates Radio Network, Presented by Napa Auto Parts, on 95.9 and 95.5 FM.

The Pirates return home to the Cross Insurance Arena for two games on Black Friday Weekend against the Utica Comets on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28 at 7:00 p.m. Saturday night's game is the Pirates' Annual Teddy Bear Toss Game. Bring a new stuffed toy to the game and throw it on the ice when the Pirates score their first goal. All donations will go to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital.

Pirates Holiday Packs are now on Sale! Get one while that last by calling 207-PIRATES or visiting portlandpirates.com!



American Hockey League Stories from November 18, 2015


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