Pirates Weekly

December 21, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


The Pirates went 2-1 in three games last week finishing with a pair of home-ice victories to improve to 16-12-3-2 on the season. The week started with a 2-0 loss against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Tuesday night at Arena at Harbor Yard. Portland rebounded from their third shutout loss of the season with a 2-0 win against Springfield Friday night and a 4-3 victory over Bridgeport Saturday night.

The Pirates break for the holiday this week and only have one game on their schedule, Saturday night against the Manchester Monarchs at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Last week's play began Tuesday in Bridgeport where Nathan Lawson turned aside all 26 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers beat the Portland Pirates 2-0 in front of 2,103 at Arena at Harbor Yard. Mark Katic and Greg Mauldin each scored unassisted goals in the game to account for all the offense for the Sound Tigers. The Pirates saw their nine-game road point streak (6- 0-2-1) come to an end with the setback. The Pirates outshot the Sound Tigers 26-16 in the game as Jhonas Enroth took the loss.

Friday the Pirates were on home ice as Enroth made 24 saves to lead the Pirates to a 2-0 win over the Springfield Falcons in front of 2,882 at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Felix Schutz, just 15 seconds into the game, and Mark Mancari netted the goals for Portland in support of Enroth's second shutout of the season. The Pirates outshot the Falcons 31-24 in the game.

Saturday the Pirates pulled through in a last minute effort to post a 4-3 victory over the Sound Tigers in front of 5,190 at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Tyler Ennis scored twice and added a pair of assists and Mancari added four assists to the Pirates effort while Brad Larsen and Marc-Andre Gragnani rounded out the goal scoring. Katic, Mark Wotton and Sean Bentivoglio scored for the Sound Tigers, who saw their five-game point streak (4-0-1-1) end with the loss. The Pirates outshot the Sound Tigers 38-21 in the game as JP Lamoureux posted the victory.

Pirates Notes

For the second time this season the Pirates scored in the opening minute of back-to-back games. Felix Schutz scored 15 seconds into the game against Springfield and Tyler Ennis struck 25 into the game against Bridgeport. Schutz's goal was only one second shy of the franchise record for quickest goal to start the game. Mark Murphy established the standard on November 24, 2000 when he scored 14 seconds in a game against the Quebec Citadels.

Jhonas Enroth registered his second shutout of the season with 24 saves in a 2-0 win over Springfield on Friday. In his last eight games, the sophomore goaltender has allowed only 11 goals, registered two shutouts and sports a save percentage of.956

Mark Mancari registered four assists against the Sound Tigers representing his first career four- assist game

Tyler Ennis also had four points against the Sound Tigers (on two goals and two assists) for his second career four-point game

Marc- ndre Gragnani's goal against the Sound Tigers on Saturday was his first since he scored two in the Pirates season opener, a 5-2 loss on October 3rd in Springfield

This Week:

The Pirates are off until Saturday when they host the Manchester Monarchs at the Cumberland County Civic Center at 7 PM.

Saturday, December 26, 2009 vs. Manchester (CCCC), 7 PM

Manchester is ranked first in the Atlantic Division with a 21-9-1-2 record, good for 45 points, the most in the AHL. Their 21 wins are tied for the most in the League

Manchester has won seven of their last 10 games

The Monarchs have surrendered only 70 goals in 33 games, tied for the second fewest in the League

Goalie Jonathan Bernier ranks fourth in the AHL with a 1.92 goals against average and his.943 save percentage is second best

The game will mark the third of 10 between the two teams this season. Each team has won once with the Pirates blanking the Monarchs 2-0 in their last meeting on December 2nd in Manchester

Recent Pirates Transaction:

None

Pirates Events:

Saturday, December 26th vs. Manchester, 7 PM

Labatt Blue Light Hockey Night in Portland

Saturday is Labatt Blue Light Hockey Night in Portland! Come get the full Labatt Blue Light experience. Join the following friends of Labatt Blue Light and the Portland Pirates to continue your Labatt experience before and after all Pirates games at Binga's Stadium ($3 Labatt drafts before and after all Pirates games), Brian Boru (Saturday nights $2.40 Labatt drafts), Frosty Pint (Saturday $2.50 Labatt Drafts and Labatt Light bottles), and Spring Point Tavern ($2 Labatt drafts every Saturday night).

Thursday, December 31st vs. Worcester, 5:30 PM

Kid's New Year's presented by WJBQ & UNUM Challenge - Game #4 The Pirates and the Cumberland County Civic Center are proud to bring you the annual Kid's New Year's game. New England's largest indoor fireworks display will follow the 5:30 pm game. Youth Main Deck and Quarter Deck tickets are $8 in advance and $10 day of game. Purchase tickets by calling (207) 828- 4665 x350.

The UNUM Challenge continues between the Pirates and the Sharks with Portland leading the eight- game season series 2-0-0-1. At each game in each city, one lucky fan is chosen from the submitted entrees as the UNUM Challenge Fan of the Game. Each fan wins a replica jersey and receives five (5) tickets to a future game. To enter the UNUM Challenge or for more information visit http://www.portlandpirates.com/UnumChallenge.asp.

Monday, January 18th and Tuesday, January 19th 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic

The 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic will be held at the CCCC Jan. 18-19th. Tickets for the 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic - which include admission to both the 2010 AHL All-Star Skills Competition at 8 p.m. on Monday, January 18th and the 2010 AHL All-Star Game at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19th, as well as an official commemorative All-Star Classic event program - are $49 (rows 1-12 in all sections) and $42 (rows 13-24 in all sections). Buy your tickets now and come join us for all the excitement!

Pirates Promotions:

Holiday 6 Packs: The Holiday 6 Pack presented by Olympia Sports is now on sale! For only $59 you can get 6 Flex Tickets with a Pirates T-Shirt. For an additional $20 you can add a Pirates hat plus 2 additional Flex Tickets. Order before Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. to ensure delivery prior to Christmas. The Pirates office will be open Wednesday from 8:30-4:30 p.m. for in person purchases. For more information call 828-4665 ext. 350 or visit portlandpirates.com.

SUBWAY Flex Books - Flex Books made fresh by SUBWAY are packs of five or 10-ticket vouchers that can be used for any Pirates 2009-2010 regular season home game (subject to availability). This season, SUBWAY will provide one (1) promotional coupon valid for one (1) FREE 6" sub for each set of five flex tickets purchased. Fans that purchase a 10-pack will receive two (2) SUBWAY coupons. Coupons are available while supplies last. For more information call a Portland Pirates Ticket Representative at 207-828-4665 ext. 350

Sudzie Family Five Packs - Are available for Sunday games during the 2009-10 season and provide you with five Main Deck Tickets, five Hot Dogs or Pizza Slices, five Sodas, and one "Daily Scroll" all for the discounted price of $60. This season, with each purchase of a Sudzie Family Five Pack, fans will receive a coupon for one (1) free Sudzie Minuteman exterior wash (valued at $11). In total, that's a value of $123 - and you don't even need to pay the babysitter! For more information call a Portland Pirates Ticket Representative at 207-828-4665 ext. 350.



American Hockey League Stories from December 21, 2009


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