Pirates Win, Lose in Light Week

Published on November 4, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME - The Portland Pirates earned three of a possible four points last weekend, in spite of a loss at home, to remain in the thick of the North Division standings. The Pirates stormed by the Manitoba Moose before dropping their second consecutive overtime decision to division rival Manchester in two home games. The Pirates begin the week in fourth place in the division with a record of 3-3-2-2. They return to the ice on Friday to begin a stretch of three consecutive three-in-three weekends beginning in Bridgeport.

LAST WEEK:

Friday, November 1, 2002: Pirates 5, Manitoba 2

The Pirates swashbuckled their way to a convincing 5-2 win over the visiting Moose, storming out to a three-goal lead on just five shots eight minutes into the first period. Five different Pirates scored in the effort with Colin Forbes (1-2-3) leading the way with his fifth of the season and a three-point effort. Brad Parsons (1-0-1), Roman Tvrdon (1-0-1), Mike Farrell (1-1-1) and Trent Whitfield (1-0-1) also found the back of the net for the Pirates who were outshot by Manitoba 44-28.

Maxime Ouellet (42 saves), thrust into the number one slot following Sebastien Charpentier's recall by the Washington Capitals, backstopped the effort. Not to be outdone, the Pirates penalty-killers put on a show of their own, stoning the Moose powerplay unit with six kills on seven powerplay attempts. A standing-room-only crowd of 6,819 witnessed the effort in the club's first sell-out of the season.

Saturday, November 2, 2002: Manchester 2, Pirates 1 (OT)

For the fifth consecutive game and eighth time in the first ten, the Pirates scored first. Just 3:03 into the game, Colin Forbes (1-0-1) potted his sixth of the season on the powerplay. Despite a mid-period goal by the Monarchs' Mike Cammalleri, the Pirates skated out of the first period knotted at one. The game turned into the Maxime Ouellet Show in the second as the Pirates netminder frustrated the swarming Monarchs, turning away an astounding 29 shots, a new franchise record.

The Pirates were outshot in the final two periods 42-6 and 50-19 overall. Portland managed to force overtime, thanks to Ouellet and the penalty-killing unit which held the Monarchs' top-ranked powerplay unit at bay despite eight power play attempts. Ouellet proved he could not win the game alone, however, as Manchester's Jared Aulin finally got one past him 46 seconds into the extra session.

PIRATES NOMINATE OUELLET AS SHER-WOOD/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

The Portland Pirates nominated goalie Maxime Ouellet as the Sher-Wood/AHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 3, 2002.

In two games last week, Ouellet backstopped the Pirates to a win and an overtime loss, single-handedly ensuring the point in the weekend finale. On Friday, November 1st, Ouellet made 42 saves, including 29 over the final two periods as the Pirates beat the Manitoba Moose, 5-2. On Saturday, November 2nd, Ouellet was at his best, stopping 48 shots, including a new franchise-record 29 in the second period, in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Manchester Monarchs. For the weekend, the native of Beauport, Quebec stopped 90 of 94 shots (95.7% save percentage) and posted a 1.99 goals-against average to help the Pirates earn three points.

THE WEEK AHEAD:

DAY DATE EVENT TIME BROADCAST
Monday Nov. 4 DAY OFF Tuesday Nov. 5 Practice at CCCC 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Wednesday Nov. 6 Practice at CCCC 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Thursday Nov. 7 Practice at CCCC 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Friday Nov. 8 Morning Skate 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Game at Bridgeport 7:35 PM PRN
Saturday Nov. 9 Morning Skate at CCCC 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Game vs. Providence 7:05 PM PRN
Sunday Nov. 10 Morning Skate at CCCC 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Game vs. Manchester 4:05 PM PRN

PRN: Pirates Radio Network

THREE TOUGH OPPONENTS & AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REDEMPTION THIS WEEK

With two three-in-three weekends down, the Pirates will embark on their third of 13 such strings when they head to Bridgeport to take on the Sound Tigers on Friday, November 8 before returning home on Saturday, November 9 to face the Providence Bruins in their first meeting of the season. Sunday. November 10th will feature a rematch with the Manchester Monarchs. Manchester has not lost a game since their season opener, and the Pirates are the only AHL squad that has garnered a point versus the high-flying Monarchs since that time with a tie and a pair of overtime losses. Portland is 2-2-0-0 all-time versus Bridgeport while the Pirates lead the Bruins all-time, 42-38-12. In the ever-growing rivalry between the Pirates and Monarchs, Manchester holds the mark at 6-4-3, including 2-0-1-0 this season. Saturday is Team Picture Night for the first 6,000 fans, sponsored by the Maine Credit Union League.

On Sunday, it's "Turn Back the Clock" day featuring a pregame contest between a team of AHL Legends featuring former Pirates and Maine Mariners and the CVS All-Stars featuring several former Boston Bruins greats. Ticket prices will be rolled back to those charged during the Pirates' inaugural season of 1993-94.

SHIP'S LOG:

· Maxime Ouellet's 29 saves in the second period of Saturday's game with Manchester broke the old team record set by Sebastien Charpentier on February 6, 2002 when he made 27 in one period against the Saint John Flames. Ouellet made 42 saves over the final two periods of Saturday's loss to Manchester.

· Ouellet wasn't the only busy goalie in the Capitals' system last weekend. Charpentier, in his first starting appearance of the season for Washington, made 16 saves in a 3-2 win over the division-leading Tampa Bay Lightning on November 1st. It was Charpentier's first NHL win of the year. His night resembled Ouellet's on Saturday. Charpentier saw 45 shots and stopped 43 in a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia.

· In spite of their loss, the Pirates did not allow the Manchester Monarchs a powerplay goal in eight opportunities on Saturday. The Monarchs came into the game with the top-ranked powerplay in the AHL at 35.1%.

· Rookie center Brad Parsons scored his first professional goal in the Pirates' 5-2 win over the Manitoba Moose on November 1st.

· Right wing Mike Farrell, assigned to Portland from Washington earlier in the week, had an auspicious debut with the Pirates, scoring a goal and an assist in his first game back, a 5-2 win over Manitoba.

TRANSACTIONS:

10/29/02 ADD Mike Farrell (RW), received on loan from Washington Capitals (NHL)
11/1/02 DELETE Brian Sutherby (C), recalled from loan by Washington Capitals (NHL)
11/1/02 ADD Sylvain Cote (D), received on loan from Washington Capitals (NHL)

ON THE AIR:

All Pirates' games can be heard live on the Pirates Radio Network. Sports Radio, WJAB, am-1440 and fm-95.5 serve as the flagship stations. Games may also be heard on WKTQ am-1450, South Paris; WTME am-790 Rumford and 1220 AM, ESPN Radio in Sanford.

GAME HOTLINE:

Members of the media can receive a recap of each Pirate game, home or away, by calling the Pirates' office at (207) 828-4665 and dialing 3-2-2 when the automated attendant picks up. Recaps will include scoring, goaltenders, shots, powerplays, attendance and any records or notables. Up to date Pirates' news is also available at www.portlandpirates.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 4, 2002


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