Wolf Pack downs Pirates
November 22, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release
PORTLAND, Maine -- Hartford reeled off five straight goals, Saturday night, and handed the Portland Pirates just their second regulation loss of the season, 6-2, before 5,028 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
Six different players scored for Hartford, among them rookie Devin DiDiomete, whose first professional tally, at 15:32 of the first, gave Hartford a lead it didn't relinquish.
Hartford goalie Matt Zaba ( 27 saves) made crucial stops when called upon.
The Wolf Pack spotted Portland an early goal, then roared back to take a 4-1 second period lead.
"We've addressed as a team," said winger P.A. Parenteau (two assists), "that we have to play a full 60 minutes. And we did tonight. They did score the first goal, but with stuck with the plan and it worked out for (us)."
Felix Schutz scored on a deflection at 3:36 of the first to give Portland a 1-0 lead. That was answered at 13:18 with a power play goal by Michael Sauer (his first), who snaked his shot from the right point through a screen and past Pirates goalie Adam Dennis (22 stops)..
Hartford grabbed the lead at 15:32, when Brian Fahey's right point blast was deflected in by DiDiomete.
"Brian had a great shot from the point," DiDiomete said. "Coach (Ken Gernander) has been telling me to go to the net. Luckily enough for me I got a stick on it this time and it went it."
DiDiomete, who was signed by the parent New York Rangers in October as an undrafted free agent, said he wasn't worried about getting that first goal. But it was nice to get it out of the way, nevertheless.
"I'm young," he said, "and I need to be patient. (But) it's nice to get the first one under my belt. Hopefully I can get a few more."
The Pack added two more goals in the second period, a shorthander by Artem Anisimov (goal No. 5) and Justin Soryal (his third). Corey Potter made it 5-1 at 9:07 of the third. Matthew Ford capped the scoring for Hartford with 2:28 remaining.
"We didn't change design after the first goal," said Gernander. "We just stuck to the game plan. A lot of times less is more. Instead of trying to make too many passes and high risk plays, a lot of times you're served with a little bit of grease and simple plays."
It was just Portland's fourth loss of the season and first in regulation since Oct. 19. The Wolf Pack defeated the Pirates, 3-2, in overtime on Oct. 29 at the XL Center.
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