Pirates Shutout 2-0 by Penguins

November 19, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Wilkes-Barre, Pa.- The Portland Pirates (8-9-0-0) fell to last place in the Atlantic Division Wednesday night after a 2-0 shutout at the hands of the East Division-leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (10-7-1-0). It was the second loss the Pirates have faced in their four game road trip this week.

The first period was mostly uneventful. Both teams were held to just a handful of shots on goal, with the Pirates attempting 4 and the Penguins shooting 5. The only penalty of the period came in the final minute when Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Scott Harrington was called for tripping at 19:16.

The Pirates started the second frame on the power play, but were unsuccessful in converting. Two and a half minutes in, a fight broke out between Mark Louis of the Pirates and the Penguin's Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond. Both men were sent to the box to serve five-minute fighting majors. A minute later, Portland's Darian Dziurzynski was called for tripping, and Dylan Reese was called for the same thing less than a minute after that. This meant a 5-on-3 power play for the Penguins, which resulted in a goal from Andrew Ebbett assisted by Bryan Rust and Derrick Pouliot at 4:34.

With seconds remaining in regulation, Portland pulled goalie Mike McKenna (3-7-0) to try and gain a man advantage and even the score to send the game to overtime. The Penguins took advantage of the empty net, and Tom Kuhnhackl pushed one in, assisted by Tom Kostopoulous and Philip Samuelsson at 19:14. The second goal locked up the shutout for the Penguins, marking the third time in five games that Portland have been held scoreless.

For his part, McKenna blocked 14 of the 15 shots he faced. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goalie Jeff Zatkoff (4-4-0) blocked all 23 Portland shots of the night.

The Pirates travel to Norfolk to take on the Admirals on Friday and Saturday nights. They return home to the Cross Insurance Arena on Wednesday, November 26 with a 7 p.m. game against the Worcester Sharks. They also will play Black Friday, November 28 against the Providence Bruins at 7 p.m. Tickets for that game are buy-one-get-one-half-off if you call 207-PIRATES and mention Black Friday.



American Hockey League Stories from November 19, 2014


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