Preview: Pirates Host IceCaps for Early Halloween

Published on October 30, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Lewiston, ME - The Portland Pirates return home after a three game road swing tonight when they face the St. John's IceCaps for the first of two games this week at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Puck drop is set for 7 PM for the first of 12 meetings between the two teams this season. The Pirates held a 4-3-1-0 record against the IceCaps last season, with their last meeting coming on April 10, 2013.

The Pirates are coming off a 5-2 victory over the Albany Devils last Saturday night. Brett Hextall scored twice, including the go ahead goal in the third, to lead the Pirates offense, with Gilbert Brulé, Jordan Martinook and Jordan Szwarz also tallying goals. Daine Todd continued his hot streak as well, adding an assist, while Mark Visentin made 34 saves in his second consecutive start for his second consecutive victory.

The IceCaps last played on Sunday afternoon in Providence, dropping a 5-2 decision to the Bruins. IceCaps goaltender Eddie Pasquale made 33 saves for St. John's and Jason Jaffrey and Eric O'Dell scored for the IceCaps, but two goals from Matt Fraser and a goal and an assist Joe Morrow proved to be the difference for the Bruins. Overall, St. John's has a 3-5-1-0 record and sit at 10th in the Eastern Conference with 9 points, 4 points ahead of the 13th place Pirates.

The Pirates and IceCaps met 8 times last season and will face each other 12 times this season. Last season's series saw the Pirates drop the first meeting of the season 8-7 in overtime despite a Rob Klinkhammer hat trick, and came back strong with two straight shutout victories. The Pirates and IceCaps last met on April 10th, a 5-2 decision in the IceCaps favor in St. John's at the Mile One Centre.

Key Bank Key to the Game

Strike First: The Pirates have scored first in all 6 games of the season, with 5 different Pirates doing the honors. An early goal takes some of the pressure off of the Pirates offense, which will be missing leading scorer Andy Miele and captain Jordan Szwarz, who have been recalled to the Phoenix Coyotes.

Wear a costume to the game and get a $10 ticket at the box office - dress as a Pirate or a hockey player and be entered to win a game worn Pirates jersey as well! Center Street Dental will be giving out Tooth Care Packs at the game to help your teeth stay clean after all the Halloween Candy. Tonight's game can be heard on the Pirates flagship stations WPEI 95.5/95.9 FM as well as WEZR AM 1240 in the Lewiston/Auburn area and WTME AM 780/1450 in Oxford County. The game can also be heard online at portlandpirates.com by clicking "Listen Live" and can be seen live on AHL Live at ahllive.com. The pregame show starts at 6:40 with Jeff Mannix. Tickets are available for tonight's game by calling the Colisee Box Office at 783-2009 ext. 525 or online at the colisee.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 30, 2013


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