Pirates Roll over Sound Tigers, 5-1

January 15, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Portland, ME - The Portland Pirates (21-13-1-0) took the first of a two-game series crushing the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (19-17-2-1), 5-1 Friday night at the Cross Insurance Arena.

The Pirates took advantage of a struggling Bridgeport team and scored just minutes into the game. Cameron Gaunce collected a Greg McKegg feed, and chipped it over the glove of Bridgeport goaltender Christopher Gibson for the 1-0 lead.

Tempers flared at the end of the first period, Sound Tiger's Joe Whitney delivered a hit on Shane Harper near the Pirates' bench. The two teams exchanged pleasantries and MacKenzie Weegar and Matt Carkner were sentenced five-minute penalties for fighting. Whitney also received five minutes for boarding and a game misconduct.

Bridgeport was carrying the momentum when Carter Verhaeghe teed up his first American Hockey League goal to knot the game 1-1.

The Pirates responded with a goal of their own less than two-minutes later. Garrett Wilson's sixth of the season came on a power play assisted by Brett Olson and McKegg

Portland dominated the third period collecting, two goals on the lone six shots they fired on Gibson. The Pirates were just getting started when McKegg extended the lead 3-1 early on in the period with his seventh of the season.

Harper capitalized on a breakaway going stick side on Gibson to make it a 4-1 game. Wayne Simpson put the game out of reach shortly after, scoring on an odd man rush.

Pirates' Mike McKenna made 29 saves in the winning effort, tying Jhonas Enroth's all-time franchise record for consecutive wins by a goalie. The goaltender's 29 saves brings the Gorham Saves for Charity to $4,300 so far this season.

The win improves the Pirates to (21-13-1-0) on the year, while Bridgeport dropped to (19-17-2-1)

The two teams wrap up the series Saturday inside the Cross Insurance Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. Call 207-PIRATES for tickets or more information.



American Hockey League Stories from January 15, 2016


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