Byron keys Saturday win; Pirates sink on Sunday

On Saturday, Paul Byron scored the game winning goal and added an assist as Portland opened their home schedule with a 4-2 win over Providence. The game's #1 star, Byron scored his first AHL goal to cap the Pirates three-goal output within a span of 4:09 in the early stages of the second period.

Nathan Gerbe started the roll on the power play with his second goal in as many games at 1:19. Moments later, Mark Mancari hit at even strength at 3:41 to tie the game 2-2. Mancari also picked up an assist on the night. Kyle Rank would score the final Pirates goal.

Jhonas Enroth made 28 saves to earn his first win of the season, while Drew Schiestel was a scratch.

The Rundown:

Byron: 1G, 1A, +2
Gerbe: 1G
Weber: 2A, +2
Turnbull: 1A, +1
Gragnani: 1A
Brennan: +1, 5 SOG
Persson: +2
Gogulla: 2 SOG
Kostka: 4 SOG
Schutz: 2 SOG
Legault: 2 SOG
Ennis: even
Enroth: 28 saves


The Pirates returned to the ice on Sunday in Lowell, where they came up short in 4-0 loss to the Devils. Enroth allowed four goals on 23 shots before giving way to J.P. Lamoureux at 12:15 of the second period. Lamoureux kicked away all 18 shots he faced the rest of the way.

The Rundown:

Ennis: 4 SOG
Turnbull: 3 SOG
Kostka: even
Brennan: -1, 4 SOG, 16 PIM
Weber: -1, 7 PIM
Schiestel: -1
Gogulla: -2
Byron: -2
Legault: -2
Schutz: -2, 3 SOG
Persson: -2
Enroth: 19 saves

Visit the excellent Maine Hockey Journal for complete Pirates coverage.

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