Sound Tigers Hold Off Pirates 4-3

Published on March 22, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Bridgeport, CT - The Sound Tigers held off the Pirates to take a 4-3 win and drop Portland for the third straight game. The Pirates fall to fourth place in the Atlantic Division, but remain two points ahead of the Sharks.

The Pirates jumped on the board early, as a Kyle Rank pass deflected to Derek Whitmore. The Pirates forward put a wrister home via a deflection in front and Portland took a 1-0 lead. Rank picked up the only assist on Whitmore's 11th of the year at 3:35 of the first. The Sound Tigers came roaring back as Chris Lee got his fifth goal of the season from Jesse Joensuu and Sean Bentivoglio at 5:09 of the first period. Just 36 seconds later, Bridgeport took the lead when Trevor Smith notched his 28th goal of the season from Ben Walter and Junior Lessard. The Sound Tigers tacked on another later in the first when Michael Haley was the benefactor of a great pass from Tomas Marcinko. Haley simply tipped the pass behind Portland goaltender Kellen Briggs for the redirect goal and gave Bridgeport the 3-1 lead. Haley's third goal of the season was assisted by Marcinko and Robin Figren at 13:39 of the first.

Portland refused to pack it in though and battled back in the second period. Colin Murphy made a great pass to hit Marek Zagrapan, who was splitting the defense. Zagrapan beat Bridgeport goaltender Peter Mannino with a wrister on a partial breakaway to cut the deficit to 3-2. Zagrapan's 18th goal of the season was assisted by Colin Murphy at 12:39 of the second. The Pirates grabbed the momentum and started buzzing, and Mathieu Darche scored on a rebound in front for his 23rd goal of the year at 15:20 of the second. Darche's goal tied the game 3-3, with Nathan Gerbe and Mike Kostka picking up assists. Bridgeport caught a huge break a few minutes later. The Pirates had a chaotic chance in front, with the puck bouncing free in the slot and several players chopping away. Jeremy Colliton grabbed the puck as Sean Bentivoglio came out of the box and banked it off the wall to the forward. Bentivoglio went in on a breakaway, deked, and beat Briggs for his 8th goal of the year. The Sound Tigers took the 4-3 lead with Colliton and Peter Mannino getting assists at 19:24 of the second on a power play. That score held into the third period.

The Pirates couldn't mount a comeback in the third, as Mannino stopped all 10 shots sent his way and the Sound Tigers held on for a 4-3 win.

Pirates goaltender Kellen Briggs made 31 saves on 35 shots and took the loss. Peter Mannino stopped 34 of 37 shots to pick up the win.

Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game: 1. Sean Bentivoglio (BRI) 2. Mathieu Darche (POR) 3. Trevor Smith (BRI)

Notes: Mike Kostka has 14 assists in his last 18 games. Felix Schutz saw his point streak end at five games...Attendance: 5,373.

The Pirates are back in action Friday night when they host the Lowell Devils at 7:00 pm. The Pirates will give away Shane O'Brien bobbleheads, sponsored by Unifirst, to the first 2,000 fans in attendance. 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 March 22, 2009


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