Pirates majestic in 6-3 win over Monarchs

Mark Mancari scored a hat trick and two assists to lead the Portland Pirates to a 6-3 season opening win over the Manchester Monarchs. One impressive first impression:

"(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

MacKenzie, Cats look good in win

Freshman Drew MacKenzie was +2 as Vermont defeated RPI 4-1 in the season opener for both clubs. The alma maters of Joe Juneau (RPI) and Martin St. Louis (UVM) met in Quebec City as part of Challenge Hockey 2008. The Catamounts will host Miami next weekend. Corey Fienhage made his collegiate debut as North Dakota closed a disappointing weekend with a 3-2 loss to Massachusetts. The Sioux outshot the Minutemen 41-16, but again had issues finishing plays. With the Sioux 0-2 and Aaron Walski avaerage at best in tonight's 13-save loss, Brad Eidsness will likely get another look as the NoDak enters conference play next weekend against Justin Jokinen and the Minnesota State Mavericks.

Comeback falls short for Timra

Defenseman Dennis Persson (2 PIM, 1 SOG) saw 16:23 of action as Timra was defeated by Farjestad, 6-4. Trailing 5-2, comeback-minded Timra scored a pair of goals in the final 20:00, one of which Persson was on the ice for, before FBK found an empy net with :07 to go. And so the winless skid hits five for the Eagles, who will next take the ice on Monday against Skelleftea.

Dennis to start; Funk out indefinitely

The Portland Pirates will kick off their 2008-09 season tonight with a skate against Manchester. The Maine Hockey Journal reports that Kevin Dineen will likely keep Jhonas Enroth in waiting, instead giving the start to veteran netminder Adam Dennis. MHJ has also posted what they feel will the line combos for the contest.

F Mancari – Kennedy – Gerbe Darche – Zagrapan – Murphy Whitmore – Hunter – Bouck Fretter – Schutz – Bonneau

D Weber – Card Butler – Baier Kostka – Gragnani

With 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.

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."

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.

10/10 Recap: Brennan returns from illness; Myers goes again

T.J. Brennan was +1 with three shots on goal in Montreal's 4-1 win over Halifax. Brennan, 19, did not play in Wednesday's loss at Rimouski after falling ill with "concussion-like" symptoms and a very sore throat. He was taken to a hospital, where he was also tested for mononucleosis. Thankfully the results were negative, and the defender hopped on a plane for tonight's contest in Nova Scotia. Luke Adam did not play for the Juniors after getting dinged on Wednesday. In the WHL, Tyler Myers (-2) got into a fight for his third consecutive game in Kelowna's 7-1 loss to Vancouver. The defenseman handily defeated 5'10 Craig Cunningham after checking highly-touted forward Evander Kane from behind in the first period Apparently the Sabres gave the towering rearguard a big box of foil before sending him back to the Dub, telling him to simply "use it". Myers played 65 games last season with only a handful of tussles. Kane, a projected top-20 pick in 2009, had a hat trick and five points to lead Vancouver despite the hit, and is now the WHL's leading scorer with nine goals and 18 points. Minnesota State freshman Justin Jokinen scored his first collegiate goal - the game winner no less - in the Mavs 5-2 win over Bemidji State. The 6'3 forward buried an Adam Mueller pass from the slot midway through the second period to break a 2-2 tie. The game saw a total of 22 power plays between the two clubs. At the IceBreaker in Boston, freshman Brad Eidsness was a surprise starter, making 28 saves in his first collegiate start as North Dakota fell to Boston University, 5-1. Initial reports from Sioux camp suggested that Eidsness would give way to Aaron Walski before entering the crease for Saturday's game with Massachusetts, but ND coach Dave Hakstol had other designs. The Alberta native played decently after a bumpy start, making some nice saves during a busy second period when he was often left high and dry by a slow-reacting defense. I'd love to see Hak go back to the rookie again as a way to send a message to his skaters, but chances are Walski will get a chance against the Minutemen. Perhaps that message will come in the form of inserting defenseman Corey Fienhage into the NoDak lineup. The 2008 third rounder was a Friday scratch. Forward Colin Wilson (NSH) had a goal and an assist for the Terriers. Also from the IceBreaker, Corey Tropp (+1) picked up an assist as Michigan State defeated Massachusetts, 3-1. In the opening minutes, a Tropp wrister created a rebound that was stuffed home by Andrew Rowe to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. With Nathan Gerbe returning to help raise the 2008 Championship banner, Boston College skated out to a 5-4 win over Wisconsin. Andrew Orpik assumed his right wing spot on the Eagles grind line, going -1 with two shots on goal. Defenseman Matt Generous was even as St. Lawrence dropped a tough 4-3 loss at Michigan, while goaltender Nick Eno (ankle injury) did not dress in Bowling Green's 4-2 win over RIT. In the OHL, Niagara's Drew Schiestel had an assist in the IceDogs' 4-3 shootout loss to Guelph. Niagara couldn't hold a 3-1 lead, firing a paltry two shots on goal the entire third period while the Storm stormed back. Saginaw's Nick Crawford (+3) notched an assist in their 7-3 win over Kingston. The Spirit out-shot the Fronts by a 41-20 margin. J.S. Allard (-1, 4 PIM) had an assist in Quebec's 5-4 shootout win over Chicoutimi. On the losing side, the Sags' Jacob Lagacé had an assist with a less than savory -3 while committing four minor penalties on the night. Jordon Southorn (+1, 2 PIM) went pointless in PEI's 3-1 win over Baie-Comeau. The Rocket scored three unanswered goals in the third to get the W. In Europe, Philip Gogulla was -1 with four shots on goal in Cologne's 4-3 loss to Straubing. The DEL's worst team, the Sharks have now lost ten of their twelve games after a 2007-08 campaign that saw them reach the league championship. Gogulla, 21, has two goals and five points on the young season.

Weekend Schedule 10/10-10/12

With the CHL needle starting to wear a groove, the NCAA will turn it up a notch this weekend with a near-full slate of action. Justin Jokinen will team up with Adam Mueller and Joe Schiller on an all-freshman line for Minnesota State when they open with a set against Bemidji. Freshman Brad Eidsness will get the goaltending nod for North Dakota on Saturday in their IceBreaker match-up against Massachusetts. Sioux senior Aaron Walski has been tabbed for tonight's opener versus Boston University. Be sure to check this space often for tape-to-tape coverage of the weekend happenings. The complete rundown: Friday 10/10 Kolner Haie (Gogulla) at Straubing Michigan State (Tropp) at Massachusetts Wisconsin at Boston College (Orpik) North Dakota (Fienhage, Eidsness) at Boston University RIT at Bowling Green (Eno) St. Lawrence (Generous) at Michigan Bemidji State at Minnesota State (Jokinen) Kelowna (Myers) at Vancouver Kingston at Saginaw (Crawford) Niagara (Schiestel) at Guelph PEI (Southorn)at Baie-Comeau Quebec (Allard) at Chicoutimi (Lagacé) Saturday (10/11) Farjestad at Timra (Persson) St. Lawrence (Generous) at Michigan Vermont (MacKenzie) vs. RPI North Dakota (Fienhage, Eidsness) vs. Massachusetts Niagara at Bowling Green (Eno) Bemidji State at Minnesota State (Jokinen) Michigan State (Tropp) at Boston University Prince George at Kelowna (Myers) PEI (Southorn) at Chicoutimi (Lagacé) Quebec (Allard) at Baie-Comeau Montreal (Adam, Brennan) at Saint John Saginaw (Crawford) at Sarnia Manchester at Portland (Gerbe, Enroth, Butler, Zagrapan, Gragnani, Kennedy, Schutz, Funk, Whitmore, Kostka, Card, Hunter, Mancari, Dennis) Sunday (10/12) Medicine Hat (Ennis) at Swift Current Montreal (Adam, Brennan) at Moncton Gatineau (Byron) at Rimouski Plymouth at Saginaw (Crawford)

10/8-9 Recap: Ennis nets first multi-point night

My apologies for lacking a timely Wednesday update. I was eagerly awaiting the riveting NHL opening night performance by Def Leppard. Come on, Gary. In a humpday WHL contest, Tyler Ennis scored a goal and an assist as Medicine Hat defeated Edmonton, 5-4. The 5'9 forward scored his second goal of the season early on the power play, then later added an assist to fuel the Tigers third period comeback effort. Currently with five points over seven games, Ennis is going to bust out sooner or later to elevate his sub-1.00 point-per-game status. Wednesday evening also saw three QMJHL games relative to Sabres prospects. Defenseman Jordon Southorn (-1) had an assist as PEI was doubled-up on the road by Saint John, 6-3. The Rocket were out-shot (34-29) and out-hit (25-12) while going an abysmal 0/10 on the power play. The Rocket continues its road ways with visits to Baie-Comeau on Friday and Chicoutimi on Saturday. Paul Byron failed to register a point in Gatineau's 2-1 win over Val d'Or. Continuing to be a controlling presence at the dot, the 5'9 Byron won 12 of his 18 faceoffs. Les Olympiques will battle Rimouski on Sunday. Already in Rimouski, Luke Adam was -1 as Montreal got blanked by the 'Nics, 4-0. Long bus trips can often work against teams as they try to get their legs going, and such was the case with the Juniors on Wednesday. T.J. Brennan did not dress for Montreal. Tonight was relatively quiet, with just two games on the slate before a hectic weekend kicks off. Dennis Persson again piled up the minutes with a healthy 20:17 of time in Timra's 5-2 loss to SSK. The loss was the fourth in a row for the sliding Eagles. In the OHL, Drew Schiestel (-3) had an assist in Niagara's 5-3 loss to Kitchener. Schiestel drew the primary assist on Andrew Agozzino's goal with 1:29 to play to cut the Rangers lead to 4-3. Moments later while still on the power play, the Dogs surrendered a short-handed goal to land themselves a fourth straight loss. It was a shaky night for the Dogs blueline, and there's no end in sight with Alex Pietrangelo sticking with St. Louis for at least the nine game limit. Checking in with the KHL, Vjacheslav Buravchikov now has a goal, an assist, and 4 PIM in 13 games with Kazan. After jumping out to a +5, the 6'1 defenseman has gone -6 over his last four games.

10/7 Recap: Goal goal Gogulla

Yes, that's a Blue Oyster Cult reference. 2005 second round pick Philip Gogulla scored a pair of third period goals to force overtime, but Cologne couldn't seal the comeback in their 4-3 loss to Hamburg. The goals were Gogulla's first of the season, as the Dusseldorf native now has five points through seven DEL games. Currently sitting in last place in the 16-team league, Cologne will lace them up again on Friday at Straubing. With Mikko Lehtonen gone, Dennis Persson logged another 19:57 of ice time in Timra's 2-1 loss to his former club, Djurgardens. Robin Figren (NYI) factored into both goals for DIK en route to handing Persson's Eagles their third consecutive defeat. Timra has slipped from 5th to 8th place during the skid, but has performed admirably considering injuries to three forwards. Wednesday will see another four games on the Sabres prospect slate. Paul Byron and Gatineau will host Val d'Or in a rescheduled make-up after fog consumed Centre Robert-Guertin back on September 14th. Also in the Q, Jordon Southorn and the PEI Rocket will travel to Saint John to battle the Sea Dogs, while Luke Adam and T.J. Brennan hit the road for a tilt with Rimouski. In the WHL, Edmonton will visit Tyler Ennis' Medicine Hat Tigers.

10/6 Recap: Tropp tunes up

Michigan State's Corey Tropp had a goal and an assist Monday as the Spartans kicked off the 2008 exhibition season with a 4-3 win over Western Ontario. The six-footer pounced on a power play rebound just 2:29 in to get things going for MSU, then later assisted on a Daultan Leveille game winner in the third. The Spartans will head to Boston this weekend for the IceBreaker for games against Massachusetts and Boston University. The North Dakota Fighting Sioux (Brad Eidsness, Corey Fienhage) will also participate. Following up on the ankle injury to Nick Eno, the Sentinel-Tribune (Bowling Green, OH) reports that the sophomore is currently "day to day" and should be ready to go next weekend.

Bowling Green goalie Nick Eno didn't play in Saturday's exhibition against Wilfred Laurier University, the result of a sprained ankle suffered in practice Sept. 24. The sophomore's status is "day to day," Falcon coach Scott Paluch said. Eno is battling senior Jimmy Spratt, who made 11 saves in a 5-1 win over WLU, for the starting job. The injury happened, Paluch said, when Eno was going post to post during a drill. He's practiced twice since the injury, but hasn't been back on the ice since a week ago today. "It only effects his on-ice movements," Paluch said. "He's comfortable doing workouts as far as biking and foot movement off the ice. Getting up and down on the ice is where it's effecting him. We're hoping he responds well to the days off." Eno and Spratt split BG's goaltending duties last season. Eno posted a 2.79 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage in 23 games to earn a spot on the All-Central Collegiate Hockey Association rookie team. BG is hoping Eno will be able to start one of the team's season-opening games next weekend.

In the QMJHL, Montreal defenseman T.J. Brennan came up short as stud '09 goalie Olivier Roy was named Q Defensive Player of the Week.

Roy recorded two victories last week - including a shutout - while posting a 1.00 goals-against average and .961 save percentage. Drew Paris of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, T.J. Brennan of the Montreal Junior and Charles Lavigne of the Quebec Remparts were also considered.

Brennan, 19, won the award twice last season.

Three Stars of the Week - 9/29-10/5

Luke Adam (Montreal - QMJHL) - Adam closed the week with a three goal, two assist performance against Victoriaville. The 6'3 forward, who also blocked nine shots in the week's two games, now has 9 points in five games after scoring the first hat trick of the season for the Sabres prospects. Dennis Persson (Timra IK - SEL) - The defenseman had a goal and an assist last week, but the story is ice time. After seeing an average of 7:22 in 21 games with Djurgardens in 2007-08, the 6'1 Swede has averaged 17:12 this season with Timra. He logged a career-high 22:21 in Tuesday's 3-1 win over Lulea. Paul Byron (Gatineau - QMJHL) - Byron usually lands here because of his goal scoring ability, but this week we tip our cap to his faceoff dominance. In three games last week, the 5'9, 170-pounder won 40 of his 57 faceoffs (70%).