AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Two goals in 13-second span made the difference for Portland

Published on October 15, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


PORTLAND, Maine - Mark Mancari and Dennis McCauley scored just 13 seconds apart in the waning moments of the second period, Jhonas Enroth made 27 saves, and the Pirates beat the Sound Tigers 3-1 on Friday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland. With the win, Portland remains undefeated to start the 2010-11 season at 3-0-0-0. The loss drops the Sound Tigers to 1-2-0-0.

For the third consecutive game, the Sound Tigers found the net first. Following a penalty to Pirates forward Corey Tropp, Rob Hisey won the faceoff in Portland's zone back to defenseman Travis Hamonic. The St. Malo, MAN native took a slap shot that made its way through traffic to beat Pirates goaltender Jhonas Enroth. It was Hamonic's first career AHL goal, and the Sound Tigers had an early 1-0 lead.

Portland's Derek Whitmore evened the score at the 8:35 mark of the opening period. During a delayed penalty call, Whitmore received a pass from Turnbull as he skated in along the right side of the Sound Tigers zone. Whitmore snapped a shot from the right faceoff circle over the right shoulder of Sound Tigers netminder Kevin Poulin, and the score was tie 1-1.

The Sound Tigers killed off Jeremy Yablonski, Matt Martin, and Jean Bourbeau penalties and nearly scored their second power play goal in the waning seconds of the first period. Rhett Rakhshani collected a rebound to Enroth's right, but his shot rang off the iron and the two teams entered their respective locker rooms tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play.

The Sound Tigers had five power play opportunities in the second period, but it was the Pirates who broke the deadlock with two even strength goals late in the middle stanza. With 16 seconds remaining, Mark Mancari's slap shot from just above the slot whizzed past Poulin to give Portland the lead. Just 13 seconds later Dennis McCauley's deflection snuck by Poulin, and after a back-and-forth period, Portland lead 3-1. Neither team was able to score in the third period, as Enroth held his ground and Portland came away with the two-goal victory.

Kevin Poulin made his Sound Tigers debut in net and had 25 saves in the loss.

The Sound Tigers return to action tomorrow night when they play host to their in-state rivals, the Hartford Wolf Pack, at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 15, 2010


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