Podkonicky's eight-point week leads Pirates to playoffs

April 12, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME – One key to a long playoff run is developing a well-balanced roster. The Portland Pirates can check that off their list of objectives as they prepare for the 2004 Calder Cup Playoffs. Veteran left wing Andrej Podkonicky scored four goals and four assists last week to lead the Pirates into the postseason with three wins and an overtime loss against four Atlantic Division foes. The Pirates completed the regular season in fifth place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 32-27-13-8, good for 85 points. They will face the Providence Bruins in the Qualifying Round of the 2004 Calder Cup Playoffs. The best-of-three series will begin Thursday, April 15th with all games to be played at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence.

Podkonicky had the most impressive offensive numbers last week, but he was far from the being the only Pirate who made hefty contributions in the final week of the regular season. Rookie center Boyd Gordon finished off a five-game point streak to end the season with six points (2-4-6) in the final four games. Newly-arrived wing Alexander Semin opened eyes immediately by scoring three goals, including a game-winner, and dazzling opponents with his stick-handling ability. Rookie defenseman Steve Eminger earned assists in three of the Pirates final four games providing some welcome offense from the blueline. Veteran center Jason Ulmer became the first Pirate in four seasons and just the fifth player in team history to play all 80 games, and he showed now signs of slowing down. Ulmer had points in the final three games (2-2-4) to finish second in team scoring with 41 points.

Goaltender Rastislav Stana finished the regular season with four straight wins. He had a combined 48 saves in Friday's 6-3 win over Lowell and Sunday's 3-2 victory over Springfield. Fellow netminder Maxime Ouellet capped off another record-setting season by establishing franchise records for shutouts (10), lowest goals-against average (1.99) and highest save percentage (.930). Ouellet finishes the season as the franchise's all-time shutout leader with 17, surpassing 2003 Pirates Hall of Fame inductee Martin Brochu.

The Qualifying Round series between the Pirates and the Bruins will be played out potentially over four days. Following game one, the two teams will face-off in game two on Friday, April 16th. If a deciding game three is needed, the two teams will square off on Sunday, April 18th. The winner will face the Atlantic Division's top team, the Hartford Wolf Pack, in the following week.

ANDREJ PODKONICKY IS SHER-WOOD/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Pirates' left wing Andrej Podkonicky was named the Sher-Wood/AHL Player of the Week for the week ending April 11, 2004. In four games last week, Podkonicky had four goals and four assists for eight points. On Wednesday, he had the primary assist on the Pirates' only goal in a 2-1 overtime loss at Providence. On Friday, he scored the Pirates' only hat trick of the season and added an assist for four points in a 6-3 over Lowell that clinched a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs. His second goal was the game-winner. He followed that up on Saturday with two assists in a 3-2 win at Lowell. The native of Zvolen, Slovakia finished the weekend with the game-winning goal in a 3-2 win over Springfield.

­UPCOMING GAMES: Series Q1

v Thursday, April 15, 2004 at Providence, 7:05 p.m.

v Friday, April 16, 2004 at Providence, 7:05 p.m.

v Sunday, April 18, 2004 at Providence, 4:05 p.m. (If necessary)

The Pirates and the Bruins meet in the Calder Cup Playoffs for just the second time ever. The Bruins beat the Pirates in a best-of-seven Quarterfinal Series in 1995. Each team has played the other more than any other team in the American Hockey League with the Pirates owning a slim 52-46-14 edge in the all-time series. This season, the Pirates went 4-3-2-1 against the Bruins. They posted a record of 1-3-0-1 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Their lone win was a 2-0 shutout on March 7th. Center Brad Boyes finished as the Bruins' leading scorer with 31 goals and 41 assists for 72 points. He earned six goals and 12 points in 17 games after joining the Bruins in a trade on March 9th. Goalie Tim Thomas set a franchise record for shutouts in a season with nine this year and ranked third in AHL goals-against average at 1.84. He finished with a record of 20-16-6. Goaltending partner Hannu Toivonen played in five games against the Pirates this season, posting a record of 2-2-1 and a 2.37 goals-against average. Center Andre Savage is the Bruins' leading scorer in play against the Pirates this season with one goal and seven points in eight games. Colin Forbes is the Pirates' leading scorer against the Bruins with one goal and seven assists for eight points. Maxime Ouellet played in seven games against the Bruins this season, posting a record of 2-4-1. Both of his wins came by shutout.

WEEKLY CALENDAR:

DAY DATE EVENT TIME BROADCAST

Monday Apr. 12 DAY OFF

Tuesday Apr. 13 Practice at PIA 10:00 – 11:15 AM

Wednesday Apr. 14 Practice TBD

Thursday Apr. 15 Morning Skate at DDC 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM

Q1 Series Game 1 at Providence 7:05 PM PRN

Friday Apr. 16 Morning Skate at DDC 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM

Q1 Series Game 2 at Providence 7:05 PM PRN

Saturday Apr. 17 Practice TBD

Sunday Apr. 18 Q1 Series Game 3 at Providence* 4:05 PM PRN

* If necessary

PRN: Pirates Radio Network

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL WEEK OF EVENTS:

One-hundred Pirates fans took part in the Pirates' first Fan Bus Trip to see the Pirates play the Lowell Lock Monsters on Saturday, April 10th in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Pirates sponsored the trip in conjunction with Our Tickets and Tours. It was so successful that the Pirates had to add a second bus to meet demand. Those fans who went to the game took part in raffles on the way down that included prizes such as a game-worn Pirates' jersey. The fans then made their presence felt at the game as they sat together and waved skull and crossbones flags.

The Pirates finished the season with Fan Appreciation Day in which the Pirates gave the Shirts Off Their Backs to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Maine. The event was sponsored by Big Apple Food Stores.

The Pirates also handed out their annual year-end awards. Captain Graham Mink was voted the team's Most Valuable Player. Center Jason Ulmer was named the Pirates' Unsung Hero and forward Mel Angelstad was chosen as the team's Most Popular Player. All three awards were voted on by the fans. The Pirates also handed out the Players' Player Award to veteran Colin Forbes. Maxime Ouellet was presented with the Tom Ebright Award for his overall contributions to team success both on and off the ice. Ouellet also won the Allied Home Mortgage Three Star Award for accumulating the most three-star points this season. His goaltending partner Rastislav Stana was named the winner of the Jack Button Memorial Award as the Washington Capitals' Top Prospect. Defenseman Dwayne Zinger was presented with his trophy as the Pirates' American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year. He is a finalist for the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award given to the AHL player who is most active in his community. The Pirates' long-time videographer Dale Darling was presented with the Pirates Partners Award for his contributions to team success in a behind-the-scenes role.

For a complete list of past and upcoming community appearances, check out the "In The Community" section of the Pirates' web site, portlandpirates.com.

LAST WEEK:

The Pirates went 3-0-0-1 last week and finished the season in fifth place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 32-27-13-8.

Wednesday, April 7, 2004: Providence 2, Pirates 1 OT

The Bruins converted on a powerplay in the final minute of overtime to beat the Pirates in the final meeting of the regular season. More

Friday, April 9, 2004: Pirates 6, Lowell 3

The Pirates got a hat trick from Andrej Podkonicky to help clinch a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs with a win over Lowell. More

Saturday, April 10, 2004: Pirates 3, Lowell 2

The Pirates finished the season series with come-from-behind win over the Lock Monsters. Rookie Alexander Semin scored two goals, including the game-winner, in the victory. More

Sunday, April 11, 2004: Pirates 3, Springfield 2

The Pirates overcame a 1-0 deficit with three second-period goals and held off the Falcons to win the season series. More

TRANSACTIONS:

4/6/04 ADD Garret Stroshein (RW), reassigned on loan by Washington (NHL)

4/6/04 ADD Roman Tvrdon (LW), reassigned on loan by Washington (NHL)

4/6/04 ADD Alexander Semin (LW), assigned on loan by Washington (NHL)

For a list of all transactions this season, click here.

ON THE AIR:

On Tuesday, head coach Tim Army will appear on WJAB's "Morning JAB" program at 8:00 a.m. On Friday, Pirates' broadcaster Dave Ahlers is a guest of WJAB's "Morning JAB" program at 8:00 a.m.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: All Pirates' playoff games will be heard in greater Portland on WLOB, 96.3 FM and 1310 AM. The move from Pirates' Radio Network flagship station WJAB is being made to accommodate Boston Red Sox games on WJAB. The Pirates' games will still be available on network affiliates WKTQ AM-1450, South Paris; WTME AM-790 Rumford and 1220 AM, ESPN Radio in Sanford. All games may also be heard on the Pirates' web site, www.portlandpirates.com.

GAME HOTLINE:

Members of the media and fans can receive a recap of each Pirates' 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. Game recaps and other Pirates' news is also available at www.portlandpirates.com. Official AHL box scores are available at the AHL's official web site, www.theahl.com.

PORTLAND PIRATES BASICS RECORD 32-27-13-8 HOME RECORD 19-11-7-3

ROAD RECORD 13-16-6-5

SPECIAL TEAMS

GF OPP PCT. SHGA

POWERPLAY: 36 337 10.7% 6

SAVES OPP PCT SHG

PENALTY KILL: 273 305 89.5% 2



American Hockey League Stories from April 12, 2004


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