Saturday, November 29, 2008
Mancari effect hits five on farm
Friday, November 28, 2008
Pirates lose fourth in a row
Thursday, October 30, 2008
10/29 Recap: Gerbe, Kennedy keep firing
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Zagrapan, Gerbe pace Pirates
Saturday, October 25, 2008
10/24 Recap: Orpik pots winner
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Enroth gets first start; Kennedy streaking
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Gerbe guns for two in Pirates win
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Pirates majestic in 6-3 win over Monarchs
"(Mancari) put some points on the board, and he was a presence," Dineen said. "I think he is very aware he's playing with some guys who have some special skills, and he's embracing that."The two "guys with special skills" happen to be prospects Tim Kennedy and Nathan Gerbe. Kennedy added a goal and two assists in his first professional game, while Gerbe posted a pair of helpers to propel the Pirates. Adam Dennis made 28 saves between the pipes to secure the win. The rundown: Mancari: 3 goals, 2 assists, Kennedy: 1 goal, two assists, +2 Gerbe: 2 assists, +2 Butler: 2 assists, +2 Gragnani: 1 assist, +1 Hunter: assist, +1 Whitmore: 1 assist Kostka: even Schutz: 2 PIM Zagrapan: -1 Weber: -2 Card: -2
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Dennis to start; Funk out indefinitely
F Mancari – Kennedy – Gerbe Darche – Zagrapan – Murphy Whitmore – Hunter – Bouck Fretter – Schutz – BonneauWith Mike Funk concussed, the presence of Mike Weber should provide quite a spark to the Pirates blueline. Per the Portland Press Herald, Weber thinks there might be a natural flicker by no longer sharing an AHL affiliation with the Florida Panthers.D Weber – Card Butler – Baier Kostka – Gragnani
It's safe to say that these comments validate the patience that many have taken with promising talents like Marek Zagrapan. On top of lacking veterans, last year's Amerks lacked any sense of cohesion.Portland Pirates defenseman Mike Weber had been in town less than 24 hours, but he already sensed a big difference between this AHL team and the one he played on last season in Rochester.
"It's a better setup than what we had in Rochester," Weber said Friday morning. "We had two different (NHL) teams barking at the coaching staff, and there was a divide in the locker room. Here, it's a different situation."
Last spring, the Sabres ended a 29-year relationship with the Rochester Americans after sharing the AHL affiliate with the Florida Panthers for three seasons.
"Florida said they wanted these systems, and Buffalo said they wanted these systems, and the players were in the middle," Weber recalled. "It was a little bit crazy."
In June, Buffalo became the new NHL parent of the Pirates after the Anaheim Ducks ended their three-year affiliation with Portland.
"Everyone's on the same page here," Weber said. "It provides a less stressful environment."
Friday, October 3, 2008
Sabres make Pirates; Ennis interviewed
Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have assigned eight players to the Portland Pirates of the American League. Heading to Portland are: forwards Mathieu Darche (pending waivers), Mark Mancari (pending waivers), Nathan Gerbe, Tim Kennedy, Dylan Hunter and Marek Zagrapan; and defensemen Chris Butler and Michael Funk.No real surprises with the moves. With a consistent, productive carry-over to start the season, Zagrapan seems poised for his first call-up. As rooks, Gerbe, Kennedy, and Butler should greatly benefit from getting their skates wet in the AHL. As of now, Mike Weber, 20, remains with the Sabres. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Worth a look: WHL Web-TV has an interview up with Medicine Hat forward Tyler Ennis. The shifty Alberta native speaks about a busy summer that included the NHL draft, Team Canada's development camp, and his first NHL training camp. The segment also contains some game footage for those who haven't seen him in action. Fresh Rollout: The Burlington Free Press introduced first-year defender Drew MacKenzie to their readers as they profiled the UVM incoming freshman class.
Drew MacKenzie, freshman defenseman, 6-2, 200: Vermont’s young defense has another player of outstanding potential. MacKenzie has size and he offers a combination of defense and offense. With his hands, he could be a critical component on one of the UVM power play units.