Portland Wins in Hartford, 4-2

Published on November 19, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Hartford, CT - The Pirates evened their season series with the Wolf Pack by picking up a 4-2 win at the XL Center. Mathieu Darche scored a goal and an assist and now has six goals and four assists in his last four games.

It was a quiet first period, as neither team found the back of the net. Portland had the 9-8 edge in shots through the choppy period, but the pace would change in the second.

Hartford struck first as former Pirate Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau tallied his ninth of the season from Brian Fahey and Greg Moore. Parenteau deflected Fahey's point shot past Adam Dennis just :53 into the period. Portland wouldn't stay behind for long though, as the Pirates took advantage of a power play and Chris Butler ripped a slap shot from the center point past Miika Wiikman for his second goal of the season. Marek Zagrapan and Mathieu Darche got the helpers. The Wolf Pack responded in short order though, regaining the lead just 2:51 later when Tom Pyatt found the back of the net for the second time this season with assists going to Artem Anisimov and Brian Fahey. From there, Portland would find its groove with extended power play time.

Just 1:06 after Pyatt gave Hartford the 2-1 lead, Portland was awarded a 5-on-3 advantage when Michael Sauer was called for tripping just 14 seconds into a Pirates power play. Portland took advantage and Tim Kennedy tied things up at 2 on a one-timer off a pass from Mark Mancari. Chris Butler got his second point of the night by picking up an assist as well. Portland still had 1:45 left on the power play, and before the minor on Sauer expired Corey Potter was whistled for delay of game when he fired a clearing attempt over the glass in his defensive zone. Portland cashed in on that opportunity as well, as this time Tim Kennedy played set up man. The rookie fed Mathieu Darche on the doorstep who beat Wiikman for his seventh goal of the season. Nathan Gerbe picked up the second assist on the play as the Pirates took a 3-2 lead. The Pirates took a lead into the third period for the tenth time this season, and put the clamps on once again to remain perfect this season when leading after two. Matt Ellis added an empty netter late in the third period for his first goal as a Pirate. Ellis's tally left the Pirates on top by a final score of 4-2.

Adam Dennis made 30 saves on 32 shots for the Pirates and picked up the win to improve to 6-0-1-0. Miika Wiikman stopped 25 of 28 shots he faced but was saddled with the loss and falls to 6-6-0-1 this season.

Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game: 1. Tim Kennedy (POR) 2. Mathieu Darche (POR) 3. Brian Fahey (HFD)

Notes: The Pirates won their eighth straight game and earned at least a point for the 11th time in a row... Mark Mancari has a point in eight straight games after notching an assist... Mathieu Darche extended his goal streak to four games and now has in his last 3 games... Nathan Gerbe extended his point scoring streak to five games with an assist...Tim Kennedy notched a point for the fifth straight game...Attendance: 2,286.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 19, 2008


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