Pudlick finds scoring touch in time for game five

Published on April 26, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME – When the Calder Cup Playoffs roll around, defensemen are expected to do just that—defend. Goal scoring is more often left solely to the forwards while the blueliners play a supporting role in the offense. Portland Pirates' defenseman Mike Pudlick decided to get into the goal-scoring act in game four of the Atlantic Division Semifinals against the Hartford Wolf Pack. Pudlick's two-goal contribution to the Pirates' comeback effort wasn't quite enough to help his team tie the game, but he may be serving notice that the Pirates have a new scoring threat in a new week of playoff hockey. The Pirates trail the series three games to one and will need to win in Hartford in game five on Wednesday in order to keep playing playoff hockey.

With the Pirates trailing 4-0 after just one period of game four, Pudlick gave Pirates' fans hope when he scored a powerplay tally just 57 seconds into the second period. It was his first career playoff tally. Hartford responded with a goal just 26 seconds later to make it 5-1, but Pudlick had an answer to that goal as well. He scored his second of the night off a nifty assist from Alexander Semin, beating goalie Jason LaBarbera with a quick snap shot. Semin lifted the Pirates' spirits in the third by assisting on Boyd Gordon's goal that brought the Pirates to within 5-3. The Russian rookie has now scored points in all but one of the Pirates' six playoff games his year and leads all AHL players with eleven playoff points.

The Pirates deserved a better fate two nights earlier when they lost to the Wolf Pack 2-1 in double overtime in game three of the series. Jozef Balej scored his second powerplay goal of the series and third overall when he beat Maxime Ouellet at 8:28 of the second extra frame. The goal erased a strong effort from Ouellet who made 30 saves but suffered his first postseason loss. Jakub Cutta scored his first career playoff goal off a feed from Semin for the Pirates' only offense of the night.

The Pirates return to Hartford on Wednesday, April 28th at 7:05 p.m. They'll have to beat the Eastern Conference's best team on its own ice for just the third time in three years if they want to bring the series back to Portland for game six on Friday, April 30th at 7:05 p.m. If there is a game seven, it will be back in Hartford on Sunday, May 2nd at 4:05 p.m. The winner of this series will face the Worcester IceCats in the Atlantic Division finals.

PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE FOR POTENTIAL GAME SIX

If the Pirates win in game five of the Atlantic Division Semifinals, that will force a game six back in Portland on Friday, April 30th at 7:05 p.m. Tickets for that game are on sale all week at the Cumberland County Civic Center box office. Regular box office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On game days, the box office will be open through the opening face-off. Tickets may be purchased by phone at (207) 775-3458. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (207) 775-3331 or on-line at Ticketmaster.com. Individual tickets start as low as $7, and groups can save up to $5 per ticket. Group prices start at ten or more people. For more information on playoff ticket prices, go to the Tickets section of portlandpirates.com.

­UPCOMING GAMES: Series A—Division Semifinal, Portland Pirates vs. Hartford Wolf Pack

Wednesday, April 28, 2004 at Hartford, 7:05 p.m.

Friday, April 30, 2004 vs. Hartford, 7:05 p.m. (If necessary)

Sunday, May 2, 2004 at Hartford, 4:05 p.m. (If necessary)

The Pirates return to Hartford for game five of the series. They are a combined 9-22-7 against the Wolf Pack in the regular season and playoffs dating back to the first meeting during the 1997-98 season. Six of those wins have come at the Hartford Civic Center—five during the regular season and one in the playoffs. Although the Pirates trail this series 3-1, they've got to hope the numbers are on their side. They won game one of this series in Hartford on April 20th. When they've won the first game of a playoff series, they are 5-1 all time. The Pirates are 7-6 all-time when facing elimination. The Wolf Pack are 5-3 when they've had a chance to eliminate a playoff opponent. Game six of the series, if necessary, will be in Portland on Friday. If the Pirates can force a deciding game seven, it would be just the fourth in team history. The Pirates are 1-2 in those games.

WEEKLY CALENDAR:

DAY DATE EVENT TIME BROADCAST

Monday Apr. 26 DAY OFF

Tuesday Apr. 27 Practice at Hartford CC 4:00 PM

Wednesday Apr. 28 Morning Skate at Hartford CC 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM

Series A Game 5 at Hartford 7:05 PM PRN

Thursday Apr. 29 Practice TBD

Friday Apr. 30 Morning Skate at CCCC 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Series A Game 6 vs. Hartford* 7:05 PM PRN

Saturday May 1 Practice TBD

Sunday May 2 Series A Game 7 at Hartford* 4:05 PM PRN

* If necessary

PRN: Pirates Radio Network

COMMUNITY EVENTS:

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 1-3 last week and now trail their best of seven Atlantic Division Semifinal series against the Hartford Wolf Pack 1-3.

Tuesday, April 20, 2004: Pirates 3, Hartford 1

The Pirates jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period and held off the Wolf Pack to win their first game of the Atlantic Division Semifinals. More

Wednesday, April 21, 2004: Hartford 1, Pirates 0

The Wolf Pack scored an early powerplay goal, and goalie Jason LaBarbera made it stand up as the Pack evened the series. More

Friday, April 23, 2004: Hartford 2, Pirates 1 (2OT)

Winger Jozef Balej ended the second longest game in Pirates' history with a goal in the second overtime giving the Wolf Pack their first lead in the series. More

Sunday, April 25, 2004: Hartford 5, Pirates 3

The Wolf Pack raced out to a 4-0 lead after the first period and held off a spirited rally by the Pirates to go up 3-1 in the series. More

TRANSACTIONS:

4/26/04 ADD Justin Eddy (G), signed by the Washington Capitals to an ATO

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

PLAYOFF RECORD 3-3

HOME RECORD 0-2

ROAD RECORD 3-1

PLAYOFF SPECIAL TEAMS

GF OPP PCT. SHGA

POWERPLAY: 5 39 12.5% 1

SAVES OPP PCT SHG

PENALTY KILL: 22 25 88% 0

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American Hockey League Stories from April 26, 2004


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