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

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.

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

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