Pirates dump Devils

On Friday, Portland got a pair of goals from Mathieu Darche and 35 saves from Jhonas Enroth to defeat Lowell, 3-1. Marek Zagrapan sealed the win with an empty net goal, his 21st of the season, while Mike Kostka had a power-play assist on the first Darche goal. Portland's leading scorer among defensemen, Marc-Andre Gragnani, skated as a left-wing on the Pirates fourth line with Derek Whitmore at center. The Rundown: Zagrapan: 1G Kostka: 1A, +2 Gerbe: +1 Mancari: +1 Kennedy: +1 Schutz: -1 Persson: 1 SOG Whitmore: 2 SOG Gragnani: even Enroth: 35 saves, W

4/1 Recap: Gerbe, Kennedy named All-Rookie; Zagrapan hits 20

On Wednesday, Marek Zagrapan scored his 20th of the season and added an assist as Portland lost to Hartford, 5-3. Zagrapan hits the 20-goal barrier for the first time in his young career after years of 17 and 18 goals. Tim Kennedy notched his 17th goal, while defensemen Dennis Persson, Mike Kostka, and Marc-Andre Gragnani had assists in the loss. Jhonas Enroth made 26 saves to move his record to 23-22-0-5. The Rundown: Zagrapan: 1G, 1A, 5 SOG Kennedy: 1G Persson: 1A, -1 Kostka: 1A, -1 Gragnani: 1A, -3 Gerbe: 6 SOG Mancari: 8 SOG Whitmore: -2 Schutz: -1 Enroth: 26 saves Earlier in the day, Gerbe and Kennedy were both named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. 2008-09 AHL All-Rookie Team Tim Kennedy, Forward (Portland Pirates): A teammate of Justin Abdelkader's on Michigan State's 2007 national championship team, Tim Kennedy stormed out of the gate by registering a point in his first nine professional games for Portland this season. He leads all AHL rookies with 43 assists and 59 points in 66 games overall and has registered 14 multiple-point efforts. The 22-year-old made his NHL debut for the Sabres in his hometown of Buffalo on Dec. 27 and was named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week on Feb. 15 with five goals and 10 points in a four-game span. Nathan Gerbe, Forward (Portland Pirates): Nathan Gerbe has torn up the AHL for 26 goals and 50 points in just 50 games for Portland this season, including seven multiple-goal efforts and a hat trick. Drafted by Buffalo in 2005, Gerbe made his National Hockey League debut with the Sabres in December and has contributed one assist in 10 NHL games this year. A native of Oxford, Mich., the 21-year-old Gerbe reached the NCAA title game in each of his three seasons at Boston College and led the nation in scoring en route to winning the national championship in 2007-08. 2008-09 AHL All-Rookie Team Goaltender: Nathan Lawson, Bridgeport Sound Tigers (30gp, 18-9-2, 2.13gaa, .929sv%, 2so) Defenseman: Mattias Karlsson, Binghamton Senators (67gp, 8+41=49pts.) Defenseman: Yannick Weber, Hamilton Bulldogs (66gp, 14+27=41pts.) Forward: Justin Abdelkader, Grand Rapids Griffins (71gp, 22+27=49pts.) Forward: Nathan Gerbe, Portland Pirates (50gp, 26+24=50pts.) Forward: Tim Kennedy, Portland Pirates (66gp, 16+43=59pts.)

Felix feelin' it, Persson points as Pirates produce

Felix Schutz had a goal and two assists, while Tim Kennedy scored the late game winner to go along with an earlier helper as Portland defeated lowly Springfield, 4-3, to earn their first three-game win streak since January. Playing in his second career AHL game, Dennis Persson received the only assist on Kennedy's goal while Nathan Gerbe and Marc-Andre Gragnani also chipped in an assist each. Jhonas Enroth made 33 saves to collect his 23rd win of the season. The Rundown: Schutz: 1G, 2A, +1 Kennedy: GWG, 1A, 2 SOG Gerbe: 1A, +1, 5 SOG Persson: 1A Gragnani: 1A Kostka: even Zagrapan: -1 Whitmore: -1 Mancari: -1 Enroth: 33 saves, W On Saturday, Marek Zagrapan had three assists as the Pirates rode a Colin Murphy hat trick past Manchester, 5-2. Gragnani had a goal and an assist for Portland, while Gerbe potted his 26th goal of the year. The Rundown: Gragnani: 1G, 1A Gerbe: 1G, -1, 7 SOG Zagrapan: 3A, +1 Mancari: 1A, +1 Whitmore: even Kostka: 2 SOG Persson: -1 Schutz: -1 Enroth: 24 Saves, W

Enroth guides Pirates to key victory

Resuming our AHL coverage, Jhonas Enroth made 39 saves on Friday in Portland's 3-2 win over Lowell. Tim Kennedy (15th), Marek Zagrapan (19th), and Marc-Andre Gragnani (8th) scored second period goals to end the Pirates' three-game losing streak and keep them in the thick of the playoff hunt with nine games to play. Dennis Persson joined the Pirates earlier in the week, and should see his first AHL action over the weekend. The Rundown: Kennedy: G, +1 Zagrapan: G, +1, 5 SOG Gragnani: G, 3 SOG Mancari: 2A, +1 Gerbe: -1, 6 SOG Schutz: -1 Kostka: 4 SOG Whitmore: 1 SOG Enroth: 39 saves

Gerbe active in HSBC, will stay in Buffalo

Nathan Gerbe had a busy first period, one-timing his 20th goal of the season and earning a game misconduct for his part in a brawl as Portland lost a 4-3 shootout to Albany in Buffalo. With just a period of action on Tuesday, Gerbe will stay in Buffalo on call-up as Thomas Vanek recovers from his broken jaw. Tim Kennedy and Marc-Andre Gragnani drew assists on the Gerbe tally, before Kennedy notched his eighth of the season in the second period. A Kyle Rank goal with :30 to play would force the scoreless OT and shootout. Jhonas Enroth made 24 saves in the loss. We'll turn to Maine Hockey Journal for more on the first period fists:

Things became real chippy late in the period as Nathan Gerbe and Tim Conboy exchanged words, before Gerbe was battered by several players on the Albany bench before being tackled to the ground by Conboy. Gerbe was tossed from the game after he was given a game misconduct by referee Jamie Koharski, as Conboy only received 10-minute misconduct as both were also given roughing minors. “It’s no fun. I came here to play and give the fans a show,” he said. “To go out like that frustrating, but I’m not going to let it bother me.” Pirates’ coach Kevin Dineen was just as amazed in the call and the lack of an explanation. “There wasn’t one,” he said. “I’m really proud to be apart of the American Hockey League, but I’m really embarrassed for the league tonight with how that whole game played out.” “We’re all in the learning stage from coaches, to players, officials and for the fans to see that it’s a shame and for us to lose a guy for us to lose (Gerbe) was a shame.” The extra curricular activities didn’t stop after Gerbe was thrown out of the game as more tussling took place. There was 164 minutes in penalties on the night.

The Rundown: Kennedy: 1G, 1A Gerbe: 1G Gragnani: 1A, -2 Mancari: -1, 5 SOG Kostka: +1 Schutz: -1 Hunter: 2 PIM Whitmore: 2 SOG Enroth: 24 saves

Pirates win, make way to Buffalo

In Hershey, Mike Kostka scored the game winning goal to lead Portland to a 3-2 win over the Bears. While on a delayed penalty at 8:17 of the second period, the first-year defenseman used a screen from the high slot to cash in his fourth goal of the season. Derek Whitmore scored his eight of the year in the first period for the Pirates, while Mark Mancari, Marc-Andre Gragnani, Dylan Hunter, and Nathan Gerbe all picked up assists in the win. Jhonas Enroth was given a day of rest, and will get the start Tuesday night in Buffalo when the Pirates host Albany at HSBC Arena. The Rundown: Kostka: GWG, +2 Whitmore: 1G, +1 Gerbe: 1A, +1, 5 SOG Hunter: 1A, +1 Gragnani: 1A, +1 Mancari: 1A Zagrapan: 2 SOG Schutz: even, 2 PIM

Enroth stops 44, Kennedy's streak ends in loss

Jhonas Enroth made a career best 44 saves, yet gave up two goals in the shootout as Portland lost 3-2 at Albany. The Pirates welcomed rookie all-star Nathan Gerbe back to the lineup after the forward missed seven games due to injury. Mark Mancari scored his 19th of the year on the power play, with assists going to Gerbe and Marc-Andre Gragnani. Gragnani faked a shot and whisked the puck to Mancari who ripped a beam under the crossbar. Marek Zagrapan assisted on the first Portland goal by Colton Fretter at 1:48 of the second period. Mancari, Gerbe, Tim Kennedy, and Tyler Bouck all struck out in the breakaway round. Kennedy saw his five-game point streak snapped in the loss, while Dylan Hunter missed the game with a bug. Line combos: Mathieu Darche-Tim Kennedy-Mark Mancari Nathan Gerbe-Marek Zagrapan-Colton Fretter Aaron Slattengren-Derek Whitmore-Jimmy Bonneau Felix Schutz-Tyler Bouck-Kyle Rank. Defense pairings: Marc-Andre Gragnani-Mike Kostka Kenny Macaulay-Matt MacDonald Cliff Loya-Zach Tarkir. The Rundown: Mancari: 1G, -1 Gerbe: 1A, 2 SOG Zagrapan: 1A, +1, 4 PIM Gragnani: 1A, 2 SOG Kennedy: -1, 4 SOG Whitmore: 1 SOG Kostka: even Enroth: 44 saves, L

Gerbe, Kennedy to sit out of All-Star festivities

Planet USA teammates Nathan Gerbe and Tim Kennedy of the Portland Pirates will miss the AHL All-Star Game on Sunday due to health reasons. Gerbe leads Portland with 19 goals, but missed his third straight game on Friday due to the flu bug that has traveled about the team. Kennedy has played in the last two Pirates games, but is scheduled to undergo two more dental procedures to repair damage from the two-hander he took in a game against Manchester last Saturday. Fourth-year man Mark Mancari, who leads the Pirates in scoring with 42 points in 37 games, will play for the Canadian team for the second year in a row.

Pirates lose; Kennedy on the mend

Mark Mancari put Portland up 1-0, but Hartford closed with three unanswered goals to beat the decimated Pirates, 3-1. The goal was Mancari's 17th on the season, with assists going to Marc-Andre Gragnani and Mathieu Darche. Jhonas Enroth made 27 stops in the loss. Add Tim Kennedy to the Pirates injury heap that already includes Mike Weber, Mike Funk, Dylan Hunter, Paul Baier, and Adam Dennis. Kennedy missed the game after having a number (7?) of teeth knocked out after taking a high stick from Gabe Gauthier in the Pirates Saturday loss to Manchester. Gauthier received a double minor on the play. Kennedy received oral surgery. With injuries and illness abound (Gerbe missed the contest due to sickness), Portland went to battle with just 16 skaters for the Monday afternoon tilt. The loss makes the Pirates 1-4 in their last five home games. The Rundown: Mancari: 1G, 4 SOG Gragnani: 1A, +1 Zagrapan: +1 Kostka: -1 Card: even Whitmore: 3 SOG Schutz: -2

Weber out after surgery; trade coming?

Portland defenseman Mike Weber is set to miss three weeks of action after getting his knee scoped earlier in the week. The leg was bothering the Pittsburgh native for quite some time, and could potentially force the Sabres into a trade with Andrej Sekera and Teppo Numminen injured, Craig Rivet still sore, and rookie Chris Butler already with Buffalo. The puck moving Marc-Andre Gragnani would be next on the call-up list, but Portland is already thin on the blueline with Mike Funk still shaking cobwebs from a concussion and Paul Baier out with a broken jaw. Nathan Gerbe could fill a roster spot as a forward, but that of course does little to alter the d-landscape. Currently seventh in the conference with a two-point lead over eighth-place Florida, the Sabres are about to embark on a six-game road trip with some holes on the blue. Per Lindy Ruff, Numminen will miss "some time" after taking a puck to the face in Saturday's win. It doesn't seem long term, but trade winds could be more of a reaction to Sekera's ankle injury. The Slovakian was logging monster minutes when healthy, and we're not too sure if Nathan Paetsch has enough in the tank to steady things in relief. Speaking of such a deal, The Toronto Sun states that league scuttlebut has Matthieu Schneider getting sent to Buffalo for the maligned Maxim Afinogenov.

The chatter is the Atlanta Thrashers are going to send veteran Mathieu Schneider to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for winger Maxim Afinogenov. Buffalo wants a blue-liner and hasn't been able to give away Afinogenov because no other team wants to pick up his $3.5-million salary ...

Monarchs come back to defeat Pirates

Jhonas Enroth made 32 saves including a stop on a penalty shot, but Manchester rode a trio of third period goals to edge the Pirates, 3-2. Mark Mancari blasted a slapper from inside the left point to notch his 16th goal of the year, while Tim Kennedy and Derek Whitmore picked up helpers in the loss. Enroth stopped Trevor Lewis with a pad save after throwing his stick to thwart a near-goal with :01 left in the second period. The stop held Portland's lead at 1-0 after two periods before the wheels came off in the third. Marc-Andre Gragnani, the Pirates top scoring defenseman with 28 points, missed the contest due to a flu bug. The Rundown: Mancari: 1G, +1, 4 SOG Kennedy: 1A, +1 Whitmore: 1A Gerbe: -2, 5 SOG Kostka: 2 SOG Schutz: 2 SOG Zagrapan: -2 Card: -2 Enroth: 32 saves, L

Gerbe, Zagrapan lead Pirates past Providence

Nathan Gerbe scored twice, and Marek Zagrapan capped the come-from-behind effort with the game winning goal, his 13th of the year, as Portland defeated Providence, 5-3. Marc-Andre Gragnani added three assists from the back end to help pace the victors. Jhonas Enroth got the nod in net, making 37 saves to push the Pirates to their first road win in eight games. Portland played without the services of Tim Kennedy (hip), Mike Weber (leg), and Dylan Hunter (consussion symptoms). The Rundown: Gerbe: 2G, +2 Zagrapan: 1G, 1A, -2 Schutz: 1G, +3 Mancari: 2A, +1 Gragnani: 3A Card: 2PIM Whitmore: 1 SOG Kostka: +1 Enroth: 37 sabes, W

Zagrapan the man in Pirates win

Marek Zagrapan continued to play his best hockey in three seasons, netting two goals and an assist as Portland downed Springfield, 5-2. The Slovakian center has points in 10 of his last 11 games, a stretch that has seen him rack up 14 of his 25 on the year. Nathan Gerbe added three assists to complement Mathieu Darche's four-point night. Jhonas Enroth made 31 saves to earn his 14th win of the season. Mike Weber (leg) and Tim Kennedy (upper body) sat out the win with day-to-day injuries. The Rundown: Zagrapan: 2G, 1A, +3 Gerbe: 3A, +2 Mancari: 1G, +1 Schutz: 1A, +1 Gragnani: +3 Card: +1 Hunter: -1 Kostka: +2 Whitmore: -1 Enroth: 31 saves, W

Gerbe pots pair in Pirate loss

Nathan Gerbe scored a pair of goals, and Derek Whitmore added his fifth of the year as Portland stumbled against Lowell, 7-3. The goals give Gerbe a team-leading 17 on the year. With Adam Dennis done for the season (hip), Jhonas Enroth stopped 33 of 40 shots in his 12th consecutive start. Mike Card played his first game in nearly two months after missing time due to his third concussion in two seasons. The Rundown: Gerbe: 2G, +1, 6 SOG Whitmore: 1G, -1 Gragnani: 1A, +2, 5 SOG Zagrapan: 1A, 4 SOG Hunter: 1A, -1 Kostka: 1 SOG Card: -1 Kennedy: -1 Mancari: -1 Schutz: -2 Enroth: 33 saves, L

Gerbe named Planet USA starter, Kennedy to join

Nathan Gerbe and Tim Kennedy have both been named to the Planet USA roster for the AHL All-Star Game on January 26th. In 23 games with Portland this season, Gerbe has recorded 15 goals, including seven on the power play, and 10 assists. His 25 points is fifth among AHL rookies. Kennedy has 28 points, five goals and 23 assists, in 33 games with the Pirates. He is second among rookies in scoring and ninth in the league with 13 power play assists. Both have earned calls to Buffalo in their rookie professional seasons.

Zagrapan stays hot as Pirates fall to Devils

Marek Zagrapan potted a pair of goals to lead Portland in their 3-2 loss to Lowell. Nathan Gerbe, who was named a Planet USA starter for the AHL All-Star Game earlier in the day, assisted on both Zagrapan goals. Zagrapan raised his goal total to 10 on the year after seeing his seven game point streak snapped last week. Jhonas Enroth made his 11th straight start for the Pirates, stopping 36 shots in the loss. The Rundown: Zagrapan: 2G Gerbe: 2A Kennedy: 5 SOG Mancari: 1 SOG Gragnani: -1 Schutz: 2 SOG Kostka: 2 SOG Weber: 1 SOG Hunter: -2 Whitmore: -1 Enroth: 36 saves, L

Gerbe goes back to farm

Nathan Gerbe has been returned to Portland of the AHL. From the Sabres:

Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have returned Nathan Gerbe to the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. Gerbe made his NHL debut on Dec. 6 at Tampa, and finished with one assist in six games for the Sabres. Gerbe also missed six games with an upper body injury suffered on Dec. 13 at New Jersey.

Mancari, Zagrapan score as Pirates come up short

Mark Mancari and Marek Zagrapan scored for Portland in their 3-2 loss to Manchester. The goals brought the Pirates back after trailing 2-0, but the Monarchs secured the W with a Scott Parse tally with less than 4:00 to play. Portland was playing without Tim Kennedy, Chris Butler, and Nathan Gerbe (IR) who are all up with Buffalo. Mancari pounded a one-timer while on a 5-3 advantage with help from Felix Schutz and Marc-Andre Gragnani before executing a nice give-and-go with Zagrapan for the other Portland goal. Jhonas Enroth made 29 saves to move to 10-5-2 on the year. The Rundown: Mancari: 1G, 1A, 3 SOG Zagrapan: 1G, -1, 4 SOG Schutz: 1A Gragnani: 1A, -1, 3 SOG Kostka: -1 Whitmore: 3 SOG Weber: -2 Hunter: -1 Enroth: 29 saves

Butler to Buffalo; Gerbe on IR

The Sabres have called-up defenseman Chris Butler. In his first pro season after leaving Denver (WCHA) a year early, the St. Louis native is expected to make his NHL debut when the Sabres host the Kings on Friday.

BUFFALO, NY (December 18, 2008) Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have recalled defenseman Chris Butler and forward Matt Ellis from Portland (AHL). In addition, Regier also announced that Nathan Gerbe has been placed on Injured Reserve. Butler (10/27/1986, 6’1”, 200 lbs.) has 12 points (2+10) and 14 PIMs in 27 games in his first professional season with Portland. A native of St. Louis, Mo., Butler played college hockey with the University of Denver for three years before turning pro. He finished with 66 points (20+46) in 115 games for the Pioneers, with 11 of his 20 goals coming on the power play. Butler was Buffalo’s 4th-round selection (96th overall) in the 2005 Entry Draft.

Nathan Gerbe, who has one point with a +3 in five games with Buffalo, heads to the injured reserve list with an upper body injury.

Gerbe called up; Mancari goes other way

The Sabres today announced that Nathan Gerbe has been called up from Portland of the AHL, while Mark Mancari has been sent back down. The shifty left wing is expected to skate with the Sabres in Saturday night's contest with the the Lightning.

Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have recalled C Nathan Gerbe from Portland (AHL). In addition, the Sabres have returned RW Mark Mancari to Portland. In just his first professional season, Gerbe (7/24/1987, 5’6”, 160 lbs.) is currently second on the Pirates in scoring with 24 points (14+10) in 21 games. Included in his goal totals are 7 PP tallies and a pair of game winners. Gerbe also has 25 PIMs and has taken a team-high 91 shots.