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Pirates Weekly

February 2, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


The Pirates were perfect in three home outings last week, posting a pair of victories over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (Friday and Saturday) and another against the Atlantic Division leading Manchester Monarchs (Tuesday). The trio of victories allowed Portland to climb into fourth in the Division standings with a 24-16-5-2 record.

This week's action begins with the conclusion of a five-game home stand, in the inaugural Let's Go! Goes to a Pirates Game Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. at the Cumberland County Civic Center against the Manchester Monarchs. The Pirates then head out onto the road for weekend action, Friday in Providence against the Bruins and Saturday in Lowell against the Devils.

Last week's action began on Tuesday as Jhonas Enroth stopped four of five attempts in the shootout in support of goals by Marc-Andre Gragnani and Mark Mancari as the Pirates beat the Manchester Monarchs 3-2 at the CCCC. Brad Larsen had a goal and an assist in regulation for the Pirates while Travis Turnbull netted the other goal as Portland improved to 22-16-5-2 with their third straight shootout victory. Manchester lead the game 1-0 after one before the Pirates surged into the lead in the second half of the middle period as Larsen and Turnbull each scored in a span of 2:19 seconds to give the home side the lead. Manchester got things back on even terms with a five-on-three goal in the final three minutes of the second. The two teams played through the third and overtime without coming to a decision and forcing a shootout.

Enroth was front and center again on Friday going perfect on all five attempts in the shootout and for the second straight game Mancari supplied the winner to lift the Pirates to a 3-2 win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the CCCC. Mancari forced overtime by scoring with one second remaining in regulation with the Pirates enjoying a six-on-three man-power advantage. Larsen netted the other goal for Portland, who posted their fourth consecutive shootout victory to improve to 23-16-5-2 on the season. All the first period scoring came in a span of 90 seconds. Bridgeport opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal 12 minutes into the game only to see Larsen, with his 200th career AHL point, even the count with a power-play score before the penalty expired to even the game at one after one. Just 64 seconds into the second period Tyler Ennis was awarded a penalty shot but he was stopped by Sound Tigers goalie Scott Munroe to keep things even heading into the third. The Monarchs struck on the power play with just under four minutes left in regulation to give the Sound Tigers the lead before Mancari's last-second heroics.

The Pirates completed the week on Saturday as Derek Whitmore and Jeff Cowan scored first period goals to lead to a narrow 2-1 win over the Sound Tigers played in front of 6,200 at the CCCC. The victory was the Pirates third straight and completed a weekend sweep of the Sound Tigers. Portland moved to 24-16-5-2 with the win. The Pirates struck early in the game, only 1:19 in as Whitmore got the ball rolling for a 1-0 advantage. Cowan capped the period with a power-play goal with 64 seconds left in the opening 20 minutes to give Portland a 2-0 lead after one. Cowan's goal extended the Pirates streak of consecutive games with a power-play goal to 13. The 2-0 advantage stood until midway through the third period when the Sound Tigers got on the board to set up a close finish.

This Week:

The Pirates host the Manchester Monarchs Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the CCCC Tuesday followed by road games in Providence (7:05 p.m.) on Friday and Lowell (7 p.m.) on Saturday.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 vs. Manchester (CCCC), 11 a.m.

Heading into this week's action, Manchester led the Atlantic Division with a 29-14-2-5 record

The game marks the sixth of 10 between the two teams this season. The Pirates are 3-1-1-0 in the five previous games

Goaltender Jonathan Bernier was named the Reebok AHL Player-of-the-Week Monday after going 2-0-0-1 and completing the week with back-to-back shutouts (he now leads the League with six)

Rookie forward Corey Elkins leads the Monarchs in scoring (and is third among AHL rookies) with 35 points in 46 games

Friday, February 5, 2010 @ Providence Bruins (Dunkin' Donuts Center), 7:05 p.m.

Heading into this week's action, Providence sat seventh in the Atlantic Division with a 23-23-3-0 record

The Bruins are one of only three teams in the AHL not to have suffered a shootout loss this season

Portland has a 2-2-0-1 record against the Bruins, which includes a 4-0 win in their last meeting January 3rd in Providence

All-Star Mikko Lehtonen leads the Bruins in scoring with 37 points in 49 games

Saturday, February 6, 2010 @ Lowell Devils (Tsongas Arena), 7 p.m.

Heading into this week's action, Lowell stood tied for second in the tlantic Division with a 29- 17-3-1 record

The Devils are winners of their last two games and have posted victories in seven of their last 10 games

The Pirates are 3-3 against the Devils so far this season

Ben Walter leads Lowell in scoring with 33 points in 48 games

Recent Pirates Transaction:

None

Pirates Events:

Tuesday, February 2 vs. Manchester, 11 a.m.

Let's Go! Goes to a Pirates Game, presented by Irving Oil

Tuesday the Pirates welcome students from around the state to a special educational day of hockey full of fun and interactive learning activities that promote physical activity and healthy eating for the students of Maine. A total of 23 schools will be represented along with more than 3,500 students, administrators, teachers and chaperones in this inaugural event as the Pirates face-off against the Monarchs.

Through the use of an interactive workbook, in-game activities and educational messaging on the video scoreboard from members of the Pirates, students will learn about healthy lifestyles while enjoying exciting Pirates action.

Let's Go! Goes to a Pirates Game is a community-based initiative to promote healthy lifestyle choices for children, youth and families. The goal is to increase physical activity and healthy eating for children and youth. Let's Go! started as a demonstration project in 12 Greater Portland communities: Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Gorham, Falmouth, Freeport, North Yarmouth, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, Westbrook, Windham and Yarmouth.

Let's Go! Goes to a Pirates Game is made possible by: Irving Oil, Let's Go!, Gorham Savings Bank and the Portland Pirates.

The game is open to the public with tickets available by calling (207) 775-3458, visiting the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office or going on-line at www.portlandpirates.com.

Wednesday, February 10th

Pirates Player ppearance @ Shaw's Falmouth

Two members of the Pirates (TB ) will be appearing at Shaw's to sign autographs from 5-6 p.m.

Pirates Promotions:

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

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



American Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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