Sharks Top Pirates 5-3

Published on February 4, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Portland, ME - The Worcester Sharks came from behind to take a 5-3 win over the Portland Pirates at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Tim Kennedy scored two goals in the loss.

The first period was all Pirates. Portland got on the board with a power play goal 7:44 into the first when Felix Schutz crashed the net from the right wing to put home a Tyler Bouck rebound. Schutz's eighth goal of the season was assisted by Bouck and Kenny MacAulay. Just under seven minutes later, Tim Kennedy took over for a minute of play with a pair of goals. The first game on a three-on-two as Kennedy took a pass from Kyle Rank and beat Sharks goaltender Thomas Greiss. Kennedy's sixth goal of the year was assisted by Rank and Marek Zagrapan at the 14:10 mark of the third period. Less than a minute later, 15:09 into the third, Kennedy benefitted from a turnover right in front of the Sharks net and beat Greiss on the backhand to put Portland up 3-0. That would close the scoring in the first period, and for just the eighth time this season the Pirates led after one.

The second period belonged to the Sharks, with a pair of good bounces within a minute of each other favored Worcester. First, Patrick Traverse through a short angle shot on net and saw it trickle past Enroth. The defenseman's sixth goal of the season was assisted by Ryan Vesce and Jason Demers. Vesce extended his point streak to 15 games with the helper. The goal came at the 16:11 mark, and just 43 seconds later at 16:54 of the third Andrew Desjardins got on the board. He got the puck past Enroth as a slew of bodies crashed the net, knocking Enroth into the cage and the net off its moorings. The referee and linesman discussed the play and allowed the goal to stand, cutting the Pirates lead to 3-2. Brad Staubitz and Jason Demers assisted on the goal and after two period of play it was 3-2 Pirates.

In the third period, Worcester tied the game at the 12:02 mark when Ryan Vesce stickhandled through the slot and beat Enroth with a wrister for his 16th goal of the year from Brad Staubitz and Andrew Desjardins. Six and a half minutes later, Jamie McGinn scored the go ahead goal after Enroth made an initial save and the puck banked off the end wall and back in front to McGinn who stuffed it home. Staubitz and Desjardins again picked up the assists as McGinn's 13th of the season came 18:32 into the third period. The Sharks added an empty netter when Lukas Kaspar picked up his 12th of the year at the 19:36 mark of the third. Ryan Vesce and Cory Larose earned assists and the Sharks took a 5-3 win.

Portland goaltender Jhonas Enroth took the loss, stopping 33 of 38 shots. Worcester goaltender Thomas Greiss stopped 19 of 22 shots he saw to grab the win..

Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game: 1. Jamie McGinn (WOR) 2. Tim Kennedy (POR) 3. Ryan Vesce (WOR)

Notes: Tim Kennedy has a point in 5 straight games...Kennedy scored two goals, his first since November 19th... Attendance: 2,887.

The Pirates will be back in action Saturday at 5:00 in Glens Falls, NY when they take on the Albany River Rats. The Pirates next home game at the Cumberland County Civic Center is Friday, February 13th at 7:00 pm against the Worcester Sharks. Be sure to get to the game early, as the Pirates will give away Trevor Gillies bobbleheads, sponsored by Bath Savings Institution, to the first 2,000 fans in attendance. It is also L.L. Bean Night. LL Bean provides their customers with a 100% guarantee on their quality products. On this one night only special, the Pirates will offer the same satisfaction guarantee. If fans are not satisfied with the quality of the hockey game or their overall experience, then the Pirates will replace their tickets with tickets to an upcoming game! No questions asked. It's that simple. It's a Pirates guarantee!

Fans can follow the Pirates on U.S. Cellular Pirates Radio Network or watch the game LIVE on the internet courtesy of AHL Live by clicking the icon on the left side of the home page. The U.S. Cellular Pirates Radio Network includes the Pirates flagship station, the Bay 1400AM and 1490AM (Portland) and affiliates WEZR 1240 AM (Lewiston-Auburn), WTME 780AM (Rumford) and WKTQ 1450AM (South Paris).

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American Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2009


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