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Samuelsson Brothers Haunt Phantoms

March 7, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Allentown, PA- For the first time since they became teammates in December, brothers Philip and Henrik Samuelsson each scored in the same game, while Alex Bolduc notched a goal and two assists to lead the Portland Pirates (32-22-3-1) to their fourth straight victory, hanging on to defeat the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (26-24-6-1) by a score of 5-4 in their first ever visit to the PPL Center on Saturday night.

From the drop of the first puck, the Pirates were firing on all cylinders. Center Francis Wathier quickly put Portland on top 6:26 into the game on assists from Eric Selleck and Darian Dziurzynski. It was Wathier's fourth goal of the season.

After Portland piled up a 9-1 shots on goal advantage over Lehigh Valley in the opening minutes, the Phantoms started finding their game. Andrew Gordon beat Portland goalie Mike McKenna for the equalizer at 12:08 for his first of two goals on the game and his 16th of the season. Kevin Goumas and Austen Fyten picked up assists.

But, Portland scored just 2:02 later to retake the lead. Philip Samuelsson scored his third goal of the season on a rebound. Selleck picked up his second assist on the night, while Lucas Lessio also picked up a helper.

Brendan Shinnimin put Portland ahead by two goals when he one-timed an Alex Bolduc pass past Phantoms goalie Rob Zepp for a power play goal at 16:52 of the second period. Shinnimin's 14th goal of the season was also assisted by Dylan Reese.

Lehigh Valley fought back just a minute later to cut the lead back to one with the third goal of the season for defenseman Adam Comrie. Fyten notched his second assist on the night, while Darroll Powe also got an assist.

In the game's final frame, it was Henrik Samuelsson's turn to give Portland a two-goal lead with his twelfth goal of the year at 3:09 with assists from Bolduc and Jordan Martinook.

But, the Phantoms still refused to back down. After a tripping penalty against Selleck, Gordon would capitalize for Lehigh Valley and cut their deficit back to only one with his second goal of the game and 17th goal of the season.

Bolduc scored an empty net goal with 1:38 to go to put Portland ahead 5-3. Bolduc's 15th goal of the season was assisted by Reese and Martinook, each player's second assist on the night.

Scott Laughton scored his seventh goal of the season just 9.5 seconds to go, but it was too little, too late..

McKenna (22-14-2) made 31 saves on the night, while Zepp (15-11-4) stopped 27 shots in the defeat.

Portland went 1-for-4 on the power play, while Lehigh Valley was 1-for-5. Portland won both games in the season series against Lehigh Valley.

The win moved Portland into 7th place in the Eastern Conference standings with the Worcester Sharks and Hartford Wolf Pack. All three teams have 68 points.

The Pirates conclude their three game in three day trip tomorrow against the Hershey Bears at the Giant Center tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. Join "Voice of the Pirates" Jeff Mannix for all the action, beginning with the Pirates Pregame Show on the WPEI Portland Pirates Radio Network at 4:40.

The Pirates will return home next weekend as they welcome the Norfolk Admirals to town for a two game series on Friday, March 13 and Saturday March 14. Both games at the Cross Insurance Arena begin at 7:00 p.m. Score BOGO tickets for Saturday's game by calling 207-PIRATES!



American Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2015


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