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Pirates Scorch Devils 6-1 for Sixth Straight Win

December 6, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Albany, NY - The Portland Pirates (14-9-0-0) extended their winning streak to six games on Saturday at the Times Union Center, blowing past the Albany Devils (11-7-1-4) by a score of 6-1. It's their longest winning streak of the season. Defenseman David Schlemko scored a goal and dished out an assist in his Pirates debut, while forwards Eric Selleck and Darian Dziurzynski also had a goal and an assist. The Pirates now move one point ahead of the Devils in the Eastern Conference standings.

After eighteen scoreless minutes in the first period the Pirates were the first to find the back of the net. Rookie Tyler Gaudet picked up his fourth goal of the season on a reboundwith assists from Lucas Lessio and Henrik Samuelsson.

During the second frame, the Devils came back fighting. On the power play, Brandon Burlon found Reid Boucher on a breakout pass and Boucher beat Pirates goalie Mike McKenna on the breakaway at 2:27 to even the score. Albany goalie Scott Wedgewood also got an assist.

Midway through the period, two quick strikes 1:28 apart helped the Pirates take the lead to 3-1 to the second intermission. Eric Selleck blocked a Mark Fraser shot and buried his third goal of the season on a breakaway. His goal at 7:12 was unassisted. Then at 8:40, Justin Hodgman set up a one-timer for Evan Oberg for his fifth goal of the season. Brendan Shinnimin got the other helper.

In final period, Portland scored three more unanswered goals. Corey Trivino picked up his first goal AHL goal on assists by Greg Carey and Schlemko at 5:57.

Just a minute, 12 seconds later, Darian Dziurzynski lit the lamp for the third time this season, assisted by Selleck.

Schlemko closed out the scoring by ripping a wrist shot past Wedgewood at 9:32 with Dziurzynski assisting.

It was another successful night between the pipes for Portland's McKenna as he stopped 25 out of the 26 shots the Devils fired at him throughout the evening, improving to 9-7-0. He's been in net for all six games in the Pirates' current winning streak. Wedgewood (3-4-1) made 21 saves in the defeat.

Also of note, defenseman Philip Samuelsson made his Pirates debut today. The older brother of Pirates rookie Henrik Samuelsson was acquired by the Pirates' NHL affiliate, the Arizona Coyotes yesterday via trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins and assigned to Portland. The Samuelssons became the fourth set of brothers to play for the Portland Pirates in the same season, joining Todd and Jeff Nelson (1993-95), Stewart and Kevin Malgunas (1996-97), and Peter and Chris Ferraro (2001-03).

A total of seven sets of brothers have played for the Pirates over their franchise history. The other three never played for Portland at the same time, though. The other brother combinations include Nick Naumenko (2001-02) and brother Gregg (2005-06), Paul Baier (2008-09) and brother Eric (2010-11), and Aaron Rome (2005-08) and brother Ashton (2011-12).

The Pirates conclude their three game weekend tomorrow afternoon at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence against the Bruins. Game time is 3:05. Catch all the action on the WPEI Portland Pirates Radio Network with the Voice of the Pirates, Jeff Mannix, beginning with the Pirates Pregame Show at 2:45.

The Pirates return home this Friday for Game 4 of the VIP Cup Series, presented by VIP Tires & Service, against the Manchester Monarchs. It's the Pirates annual Teddy Bear Toss. Bring a new, stuffed toy to the game and throw it on the ice when the Pirates score their first goal. Pirates players will deliver all stuffed animals thrown on the ice to patients at the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland the following week. Game time is 7:00 p.m. Call 207-PIRATES (747-2837) or go online to portlandpirates.com today to buy your Portland Pirates Holiday Pack and save up to 40% on game day prices!

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