Showing posts with label whitmore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label whitmore. Show all posts

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Foligno scores, MacIntyre stops 40 in Amerks win

Marcus Foligno scored his ninth goal of the year at 5:13 of the opening period, while Drew MacIntyre was rock solid in stopping all 40 shots he faced as Rochester earned a 3-0 Friday night win over Albany. The shutout was MacIntyre's first of the season and 15th of his nine-year career.

The 20-year old Foligno provided all the offense the Amerks would need when he gathered an Alex Biega pass in the corner and made a strong move to the net that eventually resulted in the puck popping into the air and over the line. The goal was Foligno's second in as many games.

Biega scored his first goal of the year on the power play in the final minute of the first period, while Derek Whitmore's 12th of the season in the second rounded out the Amerks attack. The 26-year old Whitmore, a Rochester native and product of Bowling Green, has eight of his 12 goals this season in his past six games.

Jacob Lagace and Drew Schiestel picked up assists for the Amerks. Schiestel now has a goal and an assist in his last two games.

Defenseman Dennis Persson returned to the lineup after missing 22 games with high ankle sprain.

The Rundown:
Foligno: 1G, +1, 2 SOG
Biega: G, A, +1, 2 SOG
Lagace: A, 2 SOG
Schiestel: A, 2 SOG
Crawford: +1, 3 SOG
Parker: 1 SOG
Boychuk: even

The Amerks return to action Saturday versus Adirondack.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Pirates eliminated

The 2008-09 season has come to end for Portland Pirates, as the farmhands were defeated 2-1 by Providence on Friday to lose their AHL first round series by a 4-1 margin. Mike Kostka scored the only goal for the Pirates on the power play while Jhonas Enroth, who was fantastic in the Pirates net, stopped 36 of 38 Bruins shots. The Rundown: Kostka: G, -1 Gragnani: A Mancari: 4 SOG Kennedy: 3 SOG Gerbe: 2 SOG Butler: 2 SOG Schutz: 2 SOG Generous: even Persson: even Zagrapan: even Whitmore: -1 Turnbull: -1 Enroth: 36 saves, L

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Pirates head home with a split

The Portland Pirates kicked off the first round of the AHL playoffs this week with a road split in Providence. On Wednesday, Marek Zagrapan had a pair of goals and Jhonas Enroth made 28 saves as the Pirates shut out the Bruins, 3-0. Felix Schutz scored his first playoff goal, while Mark Mancari picked up two assists. Recent addition Dennis Persson did not dress for Portland. The Rundown: Zagrapan: 2G, +2, 5 SOG Schutz: 1G, +1 Mancari: 2A, +2 Gragnani: A, +3 Gerbe: 4 SOG Kennedy: 1 SOG Butler: 2 SOG Whitmore: even Turnbull: 2 SOG Kostka: 1 SOG Generous: 1 SOG Enroth: 28 saves, SO On Friday, the Pirates could only muster a Tyler Bouck wrister in the third period as the Bruins evened things up with a 2-1 in. Derek Whitmore drew an assist on Bouck's short-handed goal. Enroth made 38 saves to earn the game's #3 star. Mike Kostka dinged a leg in the loss, potentially paving the way for Matt Generous or Persson to re-enter the lineup for Sunday's game three. The Rundown: Whitmore: 1A, +1 Gragnani: +1, 2 SOG Gerbe: -1, 4 SOG Mancari: -1, 5 SOG Kennedy: -1 Butler: 2 SOG Zagrapan: -1 Schutz: 2 SOG Turnbull: 1 SOG Kostka: -1 Enroth: 38 saves

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Pirates split weekend, remain in third

Tim Kennedy had a goal and two assists, and Nathan Gerbe and Mark Mancari each had a goal and an assist as Portland upended Springfield, 6-4. Jhonas Enroth made 33 saves to improve his record to 25-22-0-6 on the season. Going 5-1-0-1 in their last seven games, the victory moves the Pirates (37-30-3-7 - 84 points) one point ahead of Worcester for third place in the Atlantic Division. The two teams will square off on Wednesday. The Rundown: Kennedy: 1G, 2A, +2 Gerbe: 1G, 1A, +3 Mancari: 1G, 1A Zagrapan: 6 SOG Generous: 4 SOG, 6 PIM Schutz: 2 SOG Gragnani: -1 Turnbull: 1 SOG Persson: 2 SOG Kostka: +1 Enroth: 33 saves, W On Saturday, Enroth made 30 saves but the Pirates lost a 3-2 shootout to Providence. Gerbe and Marc-Andre Gragnani drew assists for the Pirates on goals by Mathieu Darche and Colton Fretter. Matt Generous finished +1 in his first appearance in a Portland sweater. Kennedy, Mancari, Zagrapan, and Gerbe could not beat Tuukka Rask in the shootout. The Rundown: Gerbe: 1A, +1, 6 SOG Gragnani: 1A, -1 Kennedy: -1 Mancari: -1 Zagrapan: -1 Generous: +1 Schutz: 1 SOG Kostka: -1 Persson: -1 Whitmore: 2 SOG Enroth: 30 saves, SOL

Saturday, April 4, 2009

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

Thursday, April 2, 2009

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.)

Sunday, March 29, 2009

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

Saturday, March 28, 2009

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

Sunday, March 8, 2009

UFA chatter: Irwin emerging? Pio near ready

The college game is developing more and more NHL-ready prospects, and with undrafted players dotting their summer conditioning camp rosters of late, it's easy to think the Sabres are always combing the campuses looking for the next late-bloomer. Get a guy who's 23-ish, coming into his own right out of school, and he's just about ready to go. Mike Kostka and Derek Whitmore are two examples of players to go through the process as the Sabres round out their AHL depth. With vicinity to Buffalo, you can bet the Sabres kicked the tires with Jesse Winchester last season while at Colgate. The 6'1 pivot entered the Hamilton, NY country club as a 21-year old freshman in 2004-05, and exited as a balanced, seasoned contributor. A native Ottawanian, Winchester was a late-March signing with his hometown Senators a year ago, jumping right on to their 2008-09 roster as a 25 year-old rookie. While names like Mitch Ganzak, Jack Downing, Bryan Lerg, and Jake Cepis have come and gone from the Sabres NCAA radar in recent years, there is one past invite that is still looming as a viable signing for Buffalo. It's just hard to say when. Vermont's Brayden Irwin is a skilled forward who, despite being snake-bitten statistically this season (6+5 in 31 games after years of 19 and 18 pts), could remain in the future mix as a key component to the #7 Catamounts. Currently there are eight Vermont forwards with more points, but the hard-working Toronto native has untapped offensive potential that could come to fruition as a pro. In 103 NCAA games, he's 48 points and 107 PIM. With the Sabres system craving bigger forwards, the 6'5, 215-pound Irwin becomes relevant with the upcoming NCAA tourney providing a great gauge of seasonal growth. Irwin looked good over the summer, and if the loaded Catamounts put together a run to the Frozen Four, the swift skating wing could emerge as a big reason why. The question is, if the Sabres interest somehow peaks, would they watch him return to UVM as a senior or jump the gun and sign him for Portland? A return to school seems logical pending the return of fellow underclassmen, but it's worth keeping an eye on since stats aren't telling the whole story, and it's easy to see him skating in the AHL. Irwin will turn 22 on March 24th, exactly one year to the day that Winchester signed his deal with Ottawa. Regardless, the Brampton Batallion property (OHL) and former St. Michael's Buzzer is a classic case of a prospect using the collegiate ranks to gradually grow in his game. Across the country, a previous hot commodity is on the verge of reasserting himself as perhaps the #1 collegiate free agent this season. A delight to the rumored 26 teams interested in signing him, Denver's Tyler Bozak is back skating with a return to game action coming in about two weeks. It's a fair assumption that the Sabres have already probed former Pio Chris Butler about the soon-to-be 23-year old, and are likely keeping tabs on his progression after December knee surgery. An energy player at both ends of the ice, the 6'1, 180-pound Saskatchewan native is a great skater, with solid hands and toughness. After posting 128 points in the BCHL while waiting for a scholarship, Bozak scored 18 goals and 34 points last season in Denver. This season, Bozak shot out to a point-per-game pace (18GP 7+14-21 +14) before tearing a meniscus against Minnesota State on December 12th. Pending a sound return from injury, Bozak could immediately hop on to a team's third line. Buffalo fans shouldn't get their hopes up though, as it's thought that the Western Canadian product may have a preference to play close to home, especially if a rookie max contract comes calling.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Schutz penalty shot seals Pirates win

Felix Schutz connected on a second period penalty shot as Portland defeated Worcester, 2-1. The German rookie was hauled down on a short-handed breakaway after a nice steal to create the winning opportunity, and the goal held up through a scoreless third. Mark Mancari teed up a left-point blast for the Pirates first goal, with assists going to Tim Kennedy and Mathieu Darche. Jhonas Enroth was given the night off while John Decaro made 25 saves for his second win of the season. The Rundown Schutz: 1G, 5 SOG, +1 Mancari: 1G, +1 Kennedy: 1A, +1 Gragnani: +1 Zagrapan: +1 Weber: even Hunter: even Kostka: even Whitmore: even

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

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

Monday, February 9, 2009

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

Saturday, February 7, 2009

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

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Enroth shuts out Bridgeport

Jhonas Enroth made 29 saves as Portland only needed Mark Mancari's 18th goal of the season to defeat Bridgeport, 1-0. Tim Kennedy and Marc-Andre Gragnani had assists on the power play tally. The shutout was Enroth's third of the season, moving the rookie's record to 16-11-0-2. The Rundown: Mancari: 1G, 7 SOG Gragnani: 1A Kennedy: 1A Schutz: 2 Sog Kostka: 1 SOG Whitmore: 2 SOG Enroth: 29 saves, SO

Monday, January 19, 2009

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

Sunday, January 18, 2009

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

Saturday, January 17, 2009

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

Sunday, January 11, 2009

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

Saturday, January 10, 2009

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

Thursday, January 8, 2009

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