Pirates Victorious Over Falcons, 4-1

Published on January 4, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Portland, ME - The Portland Pirates picked up their first win of 2009 by beating the Springfield Falcons 4-1 at the Cumberland County Civic Center Sunday afternoon. Jhonas Enroth made 31 saves in his tenth consecutive start.

The Pirates and Falcons played a scoreless first period, with both goaltenders shining in net. Portland netminder Jhonas Enroth stopped all seven shots he faced, while Springfield's Devan Dubnyk made 10 first period saves.

In the second period, the Pirates took over. Less than a minute in, Nathan Gerbe scored his 15th goal of the season from Marc-Andre Gragnani and Mark Mancari. Gerbe took a shot from just inside the blueline and beat Dubnyk with a Darche screen in front. Portland continued to bring offensive pressure and got its second goal of the night at the 9:33 mark of the period when Keith Johnson scored his first AHL goal. The University of Maine product beat Dubnyk on a turnaround shot from the left wing. Dylan Hunter and Marc-Andre Gragnani picked up assists on the play. Late in the period, Portland added one more off the stick of Trent Campbell. The forward took a pass from Colton Fretter and blasted a one-timer past Dubnyk up high for his second goal in five games with the Pirates. Fretter got the only assist on the play, which came at 17:41 of the period. The Pirates took a 3-0 lead into the locker room.

In the third period, Springfield tried to mount a comeback and got a goal from Taylor Chorney at the 5:43 mark when he blasted a one timer past Enroth on a power play. Mathieu Roy and Ryan Potulny picked up the assists on the play. From there, the Pirates hung on to their lead thanks to strong play from Jhonas Enroth, who was key in killing off a double minor for high sticking that was called on Felix Schutz late in the game. Trent Campbell then added an empty netter at the 19:18 mark of the third period to grab his third goal in five games with the Pirates. Campell's goal was unassisted and capped the scoring as Portland picked up a 4-1 win.

Jhonas Enroth improves to 13-7-2 on the year after stopping 31 of 32 shots he faced. Devan Dubnyk takes his league leading 20th loss of the year, dropping to 12-20-1. Dubnyk stopped 23 of 25 shots he faced.

Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game: 1. Jhonas Enroth (POR) 2. Keith Johnson (POR) 3. Marc-Andre Gragnani (POR)

Notes: Keith Johnson scored his first career AHL goal...Marek Zagrapan saw his point streak come to an end after seven games. Attendance: 2,693.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2009


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