Monday, October 6, 2008

Pirates stop Rats, 5-3

Instead of writing up a long-winded recap of my own, I thought it best to steer you to our good friends at Maine Hockey Journal for a rundown of last night's pre-season victory by the Pirates. Pirates push past Albany in pre-season action
Fitchburg, Mass. – Marek Zagrapan scored two goals and an assist for the Portland Pirates as they battled past the Albany River Rats, 5-3, at the Wallace Civic Center on the campus of Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg Massachusetts. Zagrapan, who arrived in Portland late Saturday, was playing in his first action since being sent to the Pirates on Friday, but despite being demoted he was still excited to get on the ice. “I think we have a bunch of young and fun guys,” said Zagrapan. This was just our first day together as a team; hopefully we’ll have all week to practice and get together and try to have a good start (of the season).” After a scoreless first period, the Pirates found themselves down 1-0 on a goal from Matt Murley at 8:07 of the second period, but just a little over three minutes later Zagrapan tied the game for the Pirates when he found puck at his feet for the easy tap-in at the left post, beating River Rats goaltender Justin Peters At 14:52, the Pirates made it 2-1, as Nathan Gerbe, Buffalo’s 2005 fifth round draft pick, was in alone on a breakaway, beating Peters with a forehand-backhand deke. Tim Kennedy would receive an assist on the play. Just 38 seconds later, the game was tied at 2-2 when Mike Angelidis found the back of the net on Adam Dennis, who replaced Jhonas Enroth after the first 30 minutes of play. Enroth played exceptionally well in his first AHL action. In 30 minutes of play, Enroth stopped 14 of 15 shots including an amazing paddle save, while on his stomach.
Felix Schutz also scored a short-handed goal on a breakaway in the third period. There's more meat to the MHJ article, including:
Line Combinations: Colton Fretter – Marek Zagrapan – Mathieu Darche Derek Whitmore – Tim Kennedy – Nathan Gerbe Jimmy Bonneau – Felix Schutz – Mark Mancari Josh Vatri – Dylan Hunter – Colin Murphy Chris Butler – Paul Baier Marc-Andre Gragnani – Mike Kostka Tyler Bouck – Mike Card Jhonas Enroth Scratches: Mike Funk (injury)