Pirates Score Three Unanswered Goals to Defeat Penguins

Published on April 3, 2016 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Wilkes-Barre, PA - The Portland Pirates (38-25-5-2) received goals from five different scorers as they fought back from a 2-0 deficit to overtake the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (41-24-4-1) by a score of 5-3 at Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday afternoon. The win pulled them six points ahead of the Hartford Wolf Pack and even with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for fourth place in the Atlantic Division. Portland owns the tiebreaker with Bridgeport because of two more regulation or overtime wins. The win was Portland's first regulation victory at Mohegan Sun Arena since February 9, 2007.

Jake Guentzel and Dustin Jeffrey gave the Penguins an early 2-0 but the Pirates managed to get on the board before the end of game's opening period.

With Will O'Neill in the penalty box for hooking, Dylan Olsen narrowed the gap 2-1 on the power play when he released a rocket from the left point that landed behind Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry. The goal at 17:44 of first period was assisted by Connor Brickley and Wayne Simpson.

The Pirates pulled even with their second power play goal in as many opportunities. Brickley scored his 10th of the year after a receiving a great feed from behind the goal line from Chase Balisy. Simpson got his second assist of the game on the goal at 5:10 of the second period..

Jean-Sebastien Dea swept the puck into the back on the net after Sam Brittain lost it out of his glove at 6:51 of the second period. Niclas Andersen and Tom Kostopoulos collected the helpers on the play.

Portland found the equalizer once again, this time from Brett Olson. The center feathered the puck over Jarry's shoulder at 9:16 after collecting a pass from Rob Flick. Olson now has two goals in the last two games.

Portland would take their first lead of the game on a partial breakaway when Brickley sent a long pass that found the stick of Logan Shaw. The goal is Shaw's first since being reassigned by the Florida Panthers on Friday. Cameron Gaunce collected the second assist on the play.

Shane Harper one-timed in his 11th goal of the season off a pass from Gaunce at 2:44 of the third period to provide Portland with a two-goal cushion. Kyle Rau also notched an assist on the play.

Sam Brittain stopped 30 shots to pick up the victory, his first since February 13, to improve to 7-10-2 on the season. Tristan Jarry made 17 saves and falls to 17-12-3.

Portland concludes their three-game road swing as they begin a home-and-home series against the Providence Bruins at the Dunkin Donuts Center on Friday, April 8 at 7:05 p.m. Voice of the Pirates Jeff Mannix calls all the action beginning with the Pirates Pregame Show, Served by Dunkin Donuts at 6:45 on the Portland Pirates Radio Network, Presented by Napa Auto Parts, on AM 1310 News/Talk WLOB.

The Pirates return home for Hall of Fame Night on Saturday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. as the Pirates take on the Providence. Former Portland Pirates captain and Assistant Coach Trent Whitfield will be officially inducted as the 20th Member of the Portland Pirates Hall of Fame during a pre-game ceremony on Hall of Fame Night.

The Pirates will get another chance at Harford hosting the Wolf Pack for a Sunday Matinee game on April 10. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. Join the Pirates in celebrating Salty Pete's Birthday! For tickets or more information visit PortlandPirates.com or CALL 207-PIRATES.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 3, 2016


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