Pirates Pound Monarchs

Published on March 28, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Portland, Maine - Brett MacLean led the Pirates to a crucial 4-1 victory over the Manchester Monarchs in front of 3,341 fans at the Cumberland County Civic Center. The contest was critical in keeping Portland (31-29-3-5, 70 points, 10th Eastern Conference) in the Calder Cup playoff race, as they trailed seventh seed Manchester (35-31-0-3, 73 points) by five points.

The Pirates had a strong opening period, scoring twice to lead the Monarchs 2-0 at the end of the first. It appeared the Monarchs would strike first, when the team slipped a puck past Pirates goaltender Peter Mannino at 6:00 into the first, only to have the goal disallowed due to a Ray Kaunisto cross checking penalty.

A minute and a half into the power play, the Pirates capitalized when Mathieu Beaudoin flipped a pass out front to Nick Ross, who put it past Manchester goaltender Jeff Zatkoff for his second of the season. The tally was also assisted by Ryan Duncan at 7:31 of the first period.

The Pirates defense was able to shut down a few strong chances for the Monarchs, who finished the period with eleven shots on net, and kill a Mark Louis interference penalty with five minute remaining.

As the period was winding down, Portland added another tally when MacLean broke through the Manchester defense and slipped the puck though Zatkoff's pads with assists from Tyler Eckford and Matt Watkins, to put the Pirates up 2-0 with just 37 seconds left.

The Monarchs didn't wait long to retaliate in the second. Nearly three minutes in, Brandon Kozun passed the puck cross-ice to Ray Kaunisto's stick. He beat Mannino on the backhand to put the Monarchs on the board. Kaunisto's sixth of the year was also assisted by Nick Deslauriers.

The Monarchs' momentum was short-lived however, as MacLean hammered home the rebound of a Watkins shot for his second of the night and 21st of the season at 6:32 in the second period. Ethan Werek also picked up an assist.

After exchanging scoring chances and power plays, the period was all but finished when Ashton Rome fired a shot from the top of the left circle over Zatkoff's left shoulder to extend the Pirates lead to 4-1. It was Rome's tenth goal of the season, assisted by Kenndal McArdle and Ross with 52 seconds left in the second period.

The Monarchs replaced Zatkoff in net with Martin Jones for the third period, who stopped 9 shots in twenty minutes. Much of the period was spent with players in the box as tensions ran high between the familiar teams, who met tonight for twelfth and final time of the regular season.

The Pirates penalty kill, ranked 27th in the league entering the game, was successful in killing all five Manchester power plays on the game. Mannino made 33 saves on 34 shots to pick up his eighth win of the season (8-7-1). Zatkoff takes the loss with 16 saves and falls to 20-15-1. Portland's power play was 1-for-2.

The Fairway Mortgage Three Stars of the Game were all from Portland: 1. MacLean; 2. Mannino; 3. Ross.

The Portland Pirates will travel to Worcester to face the Sharks at the DCU Center on Friday March 30 at 7:30 p.m., to continue their battle for an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Join the Voice of the Portland Pirates, Jeff Mannix, for all of the play-by-play action on WPEI 95.9 and 95.5 FM starting with the Pirates Pregame Show at 7:15 p.m.

The Pirates will return to the Cumberland County Civic Center on Saturday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. to take on the Sharks. Northeast Delta Dental will be giving the first 1,500 fans through the turnstiles a limited edition Pirates tote bag. The night will also be another Bud Light Saturday Hockey Night in Portland, and the Pirates will be celebrating a Night of Champions, presented by Mercy Hospital. Come help the Pirates recognize local winter sports high school champions! These student athletes will participate in the ceremonial puck drop, receive both in-seat and videoboard recognition throughout the game, see their championship trophy displayed in the concourse, and have the opportunity to be featured a live in-game radio interview. Don't miss out on the fun!

Portland Pirates 20th Anniversary Season Tickets are now on sale! You can secure your seats for as low as $50! Season tickets include plenty of great incentives! To find out more, call the Pirates Tickets Office at 828-4665, EXT 350 today!

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American Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2012


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