Cape Breton's Andrew Hayes stops 49 shots, but MAINEiacs pull out 2 - 1 OT Win

Cape Breton's Andrew Hayes (Photo Wheat Kings.com)

If it weren't for the goaltending of Cape Breton's Andrew Hayes, Tuesday night's game could have had a significantly different outcome. The Screaming Eagles' backstop made 49 saves, forcing the contest into overtime. However, the Lewiston MAINEiacs ended up having the final say, as former Screaming Eagle Zach Evans-Renaud broke a 1-1 tie at the 4:15 mark, giving Lewiston a win in front of 2,835 fans at Centre 200. The MAINEiacs allowed a franchise record-low 11 shots on goal against in the victory.

The MAINEiacs had control for most of the first period, recording each of the first 13 shots on goal, en route to an 18-3 advantage after 20 minutes of play. Lewiston scored the first goal during the opening stanza, as Antoine Houde-Caron picked up a loose puck, drove down the left side, and let a wrist shot go into the top-left corner of the net. However, Cape Breton did pick up one goal on their three shots, as Nick Parker caught Andrey Makarov off guard with a slap shot from the right circle.

Lewiston also dominated the second period, outshooting the Screaming Eagles 16-2, for a two-period total of 34-5. However, neither team lit the lamp, as the score remained tied at one.

The score remained tied through the third, and eventually until the 4:15 mark of overtime. Jess Tanguy spotted Zach Evans-Renaud cutting toward the left side of the net. Evans-Renaud was unable to get a clean shot off right away, but spun around, and slipped a backhander past Andrew Hayes' left pad.

Andrey Makarov picked up his second win as a MAINEiac, stopping ten of the eleven shots he faced. Andrew Hayes was brilliant for Cape Breton, but came out on the losing end, despite making 49 saves on 51 shots.

The MAINEiacs will continue their three-game road trip in Moncton on Thursday night at 6:00, before finishing it in Saint John on Friday at 6:30. Lewiston's next home game takes place on Sunday at 4:00, when they host the Montreal Junior.

- LEWISTON MAINEiacs - 

Mark Mancari named PTP Player of the week.

Back on track after our little sidetrack of High School Football.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK #1 STAR - Mark Mancari Portland Pirates - While it was an off week overall for the Pirates, Mark Mancari stepped up and help get his team off the mat. A Hat trick and an assist Sunday against the Providence Bruins sent the team in the right direction emotionally, after a tough, lackluster week.

#2 STAR - Kirill Kabanov Lewiston MAINEiacs - Kabanov stepped up and is starting to fit in quite nicely with the MAINEiacs. Kirill had 2 goals and an assist in the MAINEiacs 2 wins last week.

#3 STAR - Zach Evans-Renaud Lewiston MAINEiacs - Renaud played helper this week, tallying 4 assists against Chicoutimi last Wednesday in the MAINEiacs 7 - 4 win.

Pirates knock off P-Bruins

Mark Mancari scored three times and added an assist to lead the Portland Pirates to a 5-1 win over the Providence Bruins in an American Hockey League game played this afternoon in front of 5,222 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

Drew Schiestel and Corey Tropp netted the other goals for the Pirates, who ended a three-game losing streak with the win and moved to 14-6-1-0 on the season. Matt Ellis and Marc-Andre Gragnani supplied two assist each in the win.

David Ling scored the lone goal for Providence, who dropped their second straight and are now 9-8-2-1 on the season.

The Bruins struck first as Ling capitalized on a power-play opportunity midway through the first to put the home side up 1-0. Sixty-eight seconds later Schiestel tied the game as his shot from the point found the back of the net. Mancari completed the scoring in the first as he struck on the power play with 5.1 seconds remaining in the period to give Portland a 2-1 lead after one. Mancari added his second of the game four-and-a-half minutes into the second to give the Pirates a 3-1 lead and Tropp connected in the final four minutes of the period to send Portland into the third with a 4-1 lead. Mancari completed his hat trick, and the scoring, in the final minute of the third.

The Bruins out shot-the Pirates 34-27 in the game as Jhonas Enroth posted the victory.

The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the game were all from the Pirates. Mancari was the first, Enroth the second and Ellis the third.

--PIRATES COMMUNICATIONS--

Fournier Brothers on Weekend Warm Up Presented by Mister Sparky

Here is the full audio of Dillion and Stefan hanging in studio for a while with Matty and Jeff.

Fournier Brothers to join Matty and Jeff on Weekend Warm Up

THE FOURNIER BROTHERS WILL BE IN STUDIO WITH MATTY AND JEFF
TALKING LEWISTON MAINEIACS HOCKEY

CLICK PHOTO FOR LIVE STREAM

Sam Carrier nets shootout winner in MAINEiacs 3 - 2 Win

SAM CARRIER NETS SHOOTOUT GAME WINNER

 If fans didn't get their fill from Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, the Lewiston MAINEiacs and Moncton Wildcats certainly served up a wholesome dessert. Lewiston and Moncton battled to a 2-2 tie through regulation and overtime, before Sam Carrier broke the deadlock in the fifth round of the shootout, as the MAINEiacs won their seventh straight home game, as well as their 12th win in their last 13 games overall. The victory came in front of a season-high crowd of 2,811 fans at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.


Lewiston opened the scoring at the 3:31 mark of the first period. Michael Chaput picked up the puck on the right side of the offensive zone, cut to the middle, and beat Shane Owen with a wrist shot on the glove side. Chaput's eighth goal of the season came on the power play, with Matt Bissonnette and Sam Carrier drawing the assists.

In the latter stages of the period, the MAINEiacs ran into trouble, as the home team took three penalties in 1:04, including a major penalty for elbowing to Olivier Dame-Malka. The Wildcats did get the equalizer with four seconds left, as Alex Saulnier found his brother Allain, who scored from the left side of the crease. After that, Lewiston dodged the remainder of the bullet, and ended up 3-for-4 on the penalty kill.

The score remained tied until the 3:39 mark of the third, when Lewiston took the lead once again. Jess Tanguy laid a hit on a Moncton player, freeing the puck for Kirill Kabanov, who spotted Francis Beauvillier on the left side. Beauvillier had little trouble depositing his fourth marker of the season.

Less than two minutes later, Moncton had an answer, as the Saulnier brothers connected for the second time. Alex found Allain once again, with Allain scoring on a high shot from the right circle. Scott Trask also had an assist, as the two brothers upped their season point totals to 37.

Both teams continued to battle through regulation and overtime, but neither could dent the twine, as the two netminders were fantastic. The MAINEiacs' Nicholas Champion made 34 saves on 36 shots, while the Wildcats' Shane Owen turned aside 40 of the 42 shots he faced.

In the shootout, the two sides exchanged goals in the opening round, as Kirill Kabanov and Daniel Pettersson both lit the lamp. After three straight misses for each team, Sam Carrier found space between Owen's legs in round five for a 2-1 Lewiston advantage. Thomas Flynn came up empty in Moncton's half of the round, as the MAINEiacs picked up the win.

With the win, Nicholas Champion tied Jonathan Bernier's franchise record, winning his 11th consecutive game. The victory was also Champion's 16th in his last 17 starts.

Pirates drop one at home to Falcons 4 - 2

Jill Crochere (right) and Sarah Mckay (left) from Chelsea, ME make a donation Friday night
during the Portland Pirates first official night of the Holiday Toy and Donation Drive 

Michael Blunden scored a power-play goal that turned out to be the game winner midway through the third period to lift the Springfield Falcons to a 4-2 victory over the Portland Pirates in an American Hockey League game played tonight in front of 4,881 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Maksim Mayorov, Brent Regner and Matt Calvert netted the other goals for the Falcons, who ended a two-game losing streak to improve to 11-9-0-1 on the season.

Paul Byron and Mark Mancari scored for the Pirates, who saw their 10-game home points streak (9-0-1-0) come to an end. Portland is now 13-5-1-0 on the season.

Mayorov got the Falcons rolling early in this one as he connected 2:13 into the game for the only goal of the opening 20 minutes. Byron answered the Springfield goal with the only goal in the second period as the two teams headed to the third tied at one. The two teams combined for four goals in the final period. Regner began the uprising less than five minutes into the period to give the Falcons a 2-1 advantage. Mancari connected for his first power-play goal of the season five minutes later to even things up at two before Blunden matched the man advantage goal just 1:06 later to deliver what turned out to be the game winner. Calvert hit the empty net in the final minute to complete the scoring.

The Pirates out shot the Falcons 30-23 in the game as Jhonas Enroth took the loss.
The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the game were 1. Mayorov, 2. Byron and 3. Regner.

The Pirates continue weekend action with road contests Saturday in Manchester at 7 p.m. and Sunday in Providence at 4:05 p.m. Both games can be heard live on News Talk 95.5 WLOB and on line at portlandpirates.com beginning with the pre-game show 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.

The next Pirates home game takes place Saturday, December 4th when the Norfolk Admirals visit the Civic Center for a Bud Light Hockey Night in Portland in a 7 p.m. start. State Farm presents the Teddy Bear Toss. Bring a teddy bear to toss on the ice when the Pirates score their first goal. All bears will be donated to local charities in advance of the holiday season. Plus, donate to Operation Tribute and receive two free tickets to a future Pirates game. Tickets for the game, as well as each of the remaining Pirates home games, are on sale now by calling 207-775-3458, visiting the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office or on-line at ticketmaster.com.

- PORTLAND PIRATES -

MAINEiacs score 3 in :53 seconds on way to 7 - 4 win.

NICHOLAS CHAMPION GETS HIS 10TH STRAIGHT WIN

The Lewiston MAINEiacs exploded out of the gates on Wednesday night, shattering a franchise record, while taking a lead that they would not look back on. Lewiston scored three goals in 52 seconds, en route to a 4-1 lead after 20 minutes of play. The MAINEiacs and Chicoutimi Sagueneens traded three goals a piece in the final two periods, as Lewiston picked up a 7-4 win in front of 2,117 fans at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. The MAINEiacs have now won six straight games at home, and have moved into a tie for first place overall in the QMJHL.

Shortly before the midway mark of the first period, the MAINEiacs drew first blood. Michael Chaput sent the puck through the crease to Pierre-Olivier Morin, who dribbled a shot in on the left side of the crease. A little less than four minutes later, Lewiston extended the lead in a big way. Kirill Kabanov picked up an Alex Zafiris feed, and knocked it in from the slot. 40 seconds later, Jess Tanguy deflected Zachary Evans-Renaud's point shot in for a 3-0 lead. 12 seconds after that, Etienne Brodeur joined in the fun, finding the back of the net for his 24th goal of the season. The three goals were scored in a span of 52 seconds, breaking the previous franchise record of three goals in 1:00, which was set on March 18, 2007 in PEI.

The Sagueneens got on the board at the 16-minute mark of the first, when Charles Hudon netted an unassisted goal. Early in the second period, Chicoutimi lit the lamp again, as Guillaume Asselin recorded a tally on the power play. However, the MAINEiacs had a couple of answers, as Pierre-Olivier Morin and Kirill Kabanov gave Lewiston a two-goal lead yet again.

Nicholas Therrien and Michael Chaput exchanged markers in the third period, as the MAINEiacs went on to the 7-4 win.

Ten of the 18 players in Lewiston's lineup recorded at least one point, with Etienne Brodeur (4), Zachary Evans-Renaud (4), Pierre-Olivier Morin (3), Michael Chaput (2), Samuel Carrier (2), and Kirill Kabanov (2) all earning multiple-point nights.

Nicholas Champion picked up his tenth straight win, as well as his 15th in his last 16 starts, stopping 31 of the 35 saves he faced for the MAINEiacs. Robin Gusse took the loss for the Sagueneens, allowing seven goals on 41 shots.

The MAINEiacs will be at home again on Friday night at 7:00, when they take on the Moncton Wildcats.

- LEWISTON MAINEiacs - 

Bridgeport Silences Pirates

Jon Sim scored twice to lead the Bridgeport Sound Tigers to a 3-0 win over the Portland Pirates in an American Hockey League game played this afternoon in front of 3,459 at Arena at Harbor Yard.

Rob Figren netted the other goal for the Sound Tigers while Kevin Poulin made 29 saves for his first AHL shutout. Bridgeport improved to 8-11-0-0 with the win.
The Pirates, shutout for the first time this season, dropped to 13-4-1-0 on the year and saw a three-game winning and five-game points streak (4-0-1-0) come to an end.

Bridgeport scored the only goal of the opening period as Figren slipped one past Jhonas Enroth from a sharp angle to give the home side a 1-0 advantage after one. Sim then connected for two power-play goals in the second half of the second to give the Sound Tigers a 3-0 lead heading into the third.

The Sound Tigers out shot the Pirates 36-29 in the game as Jhonas Enroth, reassigned to Portland earlier in the day, took the loss.

The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the game were all from the Sound Tigers. Poulin was the first, Sim the second and Figren the third.

The Pirates return to action Friday at the Civic Center when the Springfield Falcons come to town for a 7 p.m. faceoff.

--Official Pirates Press Release--

Pirates ice Sharks

Luke Adam scored the shootout winner and David Leggio turned aside all four shooters that he faced as the Portland Pirates defeated the Worcester Sharks 2-1 in an Atlantic Division matchup played tonight in front of 4,505 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Alex Biega scored the lone regulation goal for the Pirates, who improved to 13-3-1-0 on the season. The victory also allowed the Pirates to equal the franchise record for consecutive games with a point on home ice set by the 1993-94 Calder Cup champion Pirates, who went 9-0-1 to start the season. The Pirates are now 9-0-1-0 to start the season on home ice.

Corey Tropp also scored in the shootout for the Pirates.

Sean Sullivan scored for Worcester, who dropped to 7-5-1-3 on the season.
Both teams got off to a slow start as the first period went scoreless. Biega got the Pirates on the board in the second period with a power-play goal, the first of his AHL career to give Portland a 1-0 lead. The score remained the same until Sullivan put one past Leggio with just over six minutes left in regulation forcing overtime and eventually the shootout.

The Sharks out shot the Pirates 30-21 in the game as Leggio posted the victory.
The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the game were 1. Leggio; 2. Biega and 3. Tropp.

--OFFICIAL PIRATES RECAP--

The Pirates are on the road tomorrow (Sunday) when they travel to Bridgeport for a 3 p.m. showdown with the Sound Tigers. Sunday afternoon will be the fourth matchup of the season between the two clubs. Portland currently leads the season series 2-1 as the home team has come out victorious in each of the three games.

Brodeur takes PTP Player of the Week yet again

ETIENNE BRODEUR WITH ANOTHER GREAT WEEK (PHOTO JEFF SCHOOLS)

Pine Tree Pucks Player of the Week - Etienne Brodeur Lewiston MAINEiacs - Etienne continues to blaze, scoring 3 more goals last week to still lead the CHL in scoring with 21 goals. he leads all QMJHL scorers by five goals and leads the entire CHL by 1. Brodeur has been a big factor in the MAINEiacs continued roll through the QMJHL.

Brodeur had 2 goals and 1 assist in the MAINEiacs 5-0 win over Baie-Comeau on Saturday and had goal in Sunday's matchup with a +/- of plus 2. Brodeur finished the week with a +/- rating of +5.

2nd Star - Joey Diamond Maine Black Bears - Joey Diamond took home Hockey East POTW honor on Monday with his weekend against Northeastern. Diamond finished with 2 goals and an assist in the weekend series.

3rd Star - Spencer Abbott Maine Black Bears - Spencer Abbott continues his great season, putting numbers up in every series. This weekend against the Northeastern Huskies, Abbott finished 2 goals and an assist.

Joey Diamond wins Hockey East Player of the Week

JOEY DIAMOND (PHOTO JEFF SCHOOLS)

University of Maine sophomore forward Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) was named the Athletic Republic Hockey East Player of the Week on Monday, Nov. 15. Diamond led the Black Bears to a weekend sweep of Hockey East foe Northeastern.

Maine recorded a pair of 4-2 wins.

He becomes the second Black Bear to be named Hockey East Player of the Week this year, as Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) earned the honor on Oct. 25, after Maine swept a weekend series against then second-ranked North Dakota.

On Friday, Diamond assisted on Maine’s first goal of the game. He then scored the game-winning goal for the Black Bears at 9:51 of the third period. On Saturday, Diamond scored a goal early in the third period which knotted the score up a 2-2.

Diamond was named the First Star of the game on each night.

Diamond is fourth on the team in scoring with six goals and five assists for 11 points. He has two power play tallies and a game-winner.

On Monday, Maine moved up to third in the nation in each of the two national polls released each week. Maine trails Minnesota-Duluth, who is the top-ranked team in the nation, and Boston University who is second in both polls.

The Black Bears return to action on Friday, Nov. 19 when they travel to Boston College for a two-game Hockey East series with the Eagles. Boston College is ranked ninth in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll and 10th in the USCHO.com Poll. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM on Friday and 1 PM on Sunday afternoon.

- UNIVERISTY OF MAINE - 

UMaine beats Northeastern

MAINE'S JOEY DIAMOND

Joey Diamond’s (Long Beach, N.Y.) power play goal with 10:09 remaining in the game broke a 2-2 tie and propelled the fifth-ranked University of Maine men’s ice hockey team to a 4-2 victory over Northeastern on Friday night at Alfond Arena. The Black Bears move to 5-1-3 overall and 3-0-1 in Hockey East play. The Huskies dropped to 1-6-2 and 1-3-1 in league play with the loss.

Northeastern broke the scoreless tie 17:06 into the first period when Rob Dongara notched a power play goal for the Huskies. Garrett Vermeersch controlled the puck in the left corner for the Huskies. As Vermeersch skated with the puck, Maine goaltender Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.) stumbled while trying to get position on the left post. Vermeersch sent the puck to the center of the blue line where Wade McLeod unleashed a slap shot that was tipped in front by Dongara.

Maine opened the second period skating on the power play when Jeff Dimmen (Colorado Springs, Colo.) cashed in for his second goal of the season to tie things up at one goal a piece. Diamond would control the puck deep in the left circle. Diamond fired a pass that snuck through the slot and found Dimmen above the right circle. Dimmen unleashed a slap shot that hit the back of the net. Brian Flynn also assisted on the goal for the Black Bears.

Northeastern would re-take the lead with a power play goal of its own 13:12 into the second period. Mike Hewkin sent a slap shot at the Maine net that was kicked aside by Sullivan. However, Mike McLaughlin was in perfect position to put the rebound home once again giving the Huskies a one goal advantage, 2-1.

The Black Bears would fight back to tie the game once again when Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) notched his seventh goal of the season, 14:42 into the second period. Tanner House (Cochrane, Alberta) started the play when he slid a pass to Josh
Van Dyk (Woodstock, Ontario). Van Dyk rocketed a shot that was saved by Husky goaltender Chris Rawlings. The rebound would kick out to the left circle where Abbott was waiting. Abbott would light the lamp with a wrist shot that snuck past Rawlings
to send the game into the third period tied at two goals each.

Diamond would give Maine its first lead of the night 9:51 into the third period while the Black Bears skated on the power play. Flynn controlled the puck for Maine, sending it around the boards to Adam Shemansky (Robbinsville, N.J.). Shemansky would
look for an opening in front, make a move, and sent a beautiful, quick pass right in front to Diamond who one-timed the puck past Rawlings.

Gustav Nyquist (Malmo, Sweden) added an empty net goal with 11 seconds remaining in the third period to lock up the win for the Black Bears. Abbott picked up his eighth assist of the season on the fourth goal for the Black Bears. With the point, Nyquist extends his scoring streak to 10 games, dating back to last season.

Sullivan picks up his third win of the season after making 17 saves for the Black Bears, moving his record to 3-1-1 overall. Rawlings made 30 saves of his own for Northeastern but drops back to 1-5-2. Each teamed cashed in with two power play goals
as Maine was 2-7 on the power play and Northeastern was 2-5 with the man advantage.

The Black Bears skate back into action tomorrow when they close out the weekend series with Northeastern at 7 p.m. from Alfond Arena. Tickets are available for tomorrow’s game and can be purchased at the door.

--UMaine Press Release--

Black Bears - Northeastern Series Preview

Hot off a comeback tie against the top ranked team in the nation, the #5 UMaine Black Bears are ready to come back home to the Alfond Arena.

Maine had visions of toppling Boston University last Saturday after they took the lead in the third period, only to see that vanish with just over a minute left to go in the contest.  The strike by Freshman Charlie Croyle for the Terriers would send the game into overtime, and eventually, the Black Bears back home with only one point in the draw.

The stalemate of the Terriers proved that Maine could overcome a deficit and hang around with the some of the top teams in the nation.  An even more welcomed sight, was once that horn sounded to end the elongated game, the Black Bears knew they were finally heading home.

Two conference one game road stretches in consecutive weekends against Vermont and BU respectively, left Maine with some much needed confidence and a 4-1-3 record overall.  This weekend Maine faces a struggling Northeastern Huskies squad with revenge on their mind.

Just two years ago, the Huskies shot a top the Hockey East, finishing second overall when the dust finally settled.  On Northeastern’s way towards arguably their best finish in the programs history, the Huskies notched a two game sweep against the University of Maine Black Bear in late October by a scores of 5-0 and 2-1 in Orono.

That series was labeled one of the low points in Maine hockey history as it was also the Black Bears first home stand of that year.  Though in 2010, both squads are drastically different then the teams that laced it up in 2008.

Maine is paced by Hockey East leading scorers Gustav Nyquist and Spencer Abbott (13 points) and have by far the most prolific scoring offense in the conference, besting the next highest team by a goal and half (4.33 g/gm).  On the other end of the spectrum is the abysmal Huskies offense which ranks dead last in scoring (1.75 g/gm) and also in penalty kill.

The Black Bears are undefeated in the Alfond and the Hockey East so far this season, and against the hapless Huskies from Northeastern, don’t expect that to change.  Injuries are also a concern for Maine who may be missing Joey Diamond and Will O’Neil for the series.  One thing is for sure, the fans will definitely be out in full force for the two game series, as the Black Bears look to move to second place in the Hockey East on the weekend’s end.

Bryan Stackpole is the play by play voice for UMaine sports on WMEB 91.9 FM, Orono, Maine.  WMEB can be heard on 91.9 FM and streaming on www.wmeb.fm.  91.9 FM is the only commercial free broadcast of UMaine sports.  Both games against the Northeastern Huskies can be heard on WMEB 91.9 FM at 6:45 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.

Oliver Wahlstrom Returns

Remember Oliver Wahlstrom? The kid who lit up the hockey world with this goal, then talked about it on ESPN?

He was at it again last night on NESN. One question: Tom Caron said Wahlstrom's favorite TV show is Family Guy. He's 10 years old. Think about that.

#Pirates Ground Falcons

Mark Mancari and Luke Adam each scored a goal and an assist to lead the Portland Pirates to a 4-2 win over the Springfield Falcons in an American Hockey League game played tonight in front of 2,498 at the MassMutual Center.

Jacob Lagace and Travis Turnbull netted the other goals for the Pirates, who moved to 11-3-1-0 with the win.

Ben Guite and Tom Sestito scored for the Falcons, who cropped to 7-5-0-1 on the season.

The two teams played through a scoreless opening period. Guite opened the scoring six minutes into the second to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Mancari, with his first power-play goal of the season, evened the game during a five-on-three Pirates man advantage a minute-and-a-half. Five minutes later Adam connected on his League-leading 11th of the season to give Portland a 2-1 lead after two. Lagace connected for his first career AHL goal six minutes into the third before Sestito made it interesting with 1:45 remaining in regulation. Turnbull hit the empty net in the final 30 seconds to insure the victory.

The Falcons out shot the Pirates 32-23 in the game as David Leggio posted the victory.

The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the game were 1. Mancari, 2. Guite and 3. Adam.

The next Pirates home game takes place this Saturday when the Albany Devils visit the Civic Center for a 7 p.m. start. It’s Veterans & Armed Forces Night presented by News Talk 95.5 WLOB and Martin’s Point Health Care as the Pirates salute all the men and women who have served as members of the United States Armed Forces. It’s also another Bud Light Hockey Night in Portland. Tickets for the game, as well as each of the remaining Pirates home games, are on sale now by calling 207-775-3458, visiting the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office or on-line at ticketmaster.com.

The game can also be seen live on Time Warner Cable Sports beginning at 7 p.m. and heard live on News Talk 95.5 WLOB and on-line on portlandpirates.com beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m.

::Programming Note:: Portland Pirates Head Coach Kevin Dineen will join Shoe and Matty at 7:25 this morning on 96.3

PTP Player of the Week - Etienne Brodeur

#1 Star Player of the Week - Etienne Brodeur of the Lewiston MAINEiacs takes home the Pine Tree Pucks Player of the Week this week. Brodeur has 3 goals and 3 assists with a +/- of +4. Etienne also leads all QMJHl scorers with 18 goals. Along with this award, Brodeur took home the QMJHL Player of the Week as well.

#2 Star - Mark Parrish of the Portland Pirates - Parrish has 2 goals and 3 assists for a +/- of +3 in the tough stretch for the Pirates.

#3 Star - Luke Adam of the Portland Pirates - Luke continued his torrid scoring pace in the AHL, adding 4 more goals this week.

Kevin Dineen Weekly Visit

Kevin Dineen, head coach of the Portland Pirates, joined Shoe and Matty for his regular visit to the Morning Jab after the Pirates completed their long road trip.

Pirates drop tough one to Charlotte 5 - 4

Luke Adam gets 2 more goals for the Pirates in 5 - 4 loss. (Photo Jeff Schools)

Nick Dodge scored a goal and an assist to lead the Charlotte Checkers to a 5-4 win over the Portland Pirates in an American Hockey League game played tonight in front of 3,689 at the Time Warner Cable Arena.

Oskar Osala, Nicolas Blanchard, Jerome Samson and Chris Terry also replied for the Checkers, who posted their first home victory of the season to improve to 4-6-1-1.

Luke Adam paced the Pirates with two goals while Corey Tropp collected a goal and an assist. Travis Turnbull netted the other goal for Portland, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end. The Pirates are now 9-3-0-0 on the season.

For the sixth straight game the Pirates scored first as Turnbull’s deflection gave Portland a 1-0 advantage six minutes into the game. The Pirates upped the count six-and-a-half minutes later as Tropp registered his first career AHL regulation goal (he has scored twice in shootouts) to give Portland a 2-0 lead after one. The Checkers exploded in the second scoring three times (Osala, Dodge and Blanchard) in 4:07 to surge into a 3-2 lead but midway through the period Adam silenced the uprising to even thing at three after two. Samson connected 90 seconds into the third to give the Checkers a one-goal lead and Terry upped the advantage to 5-3 with 4:53 left in regulation. Adam scored his second of the game with 25 seconds left to make it close.

Alex Petizian, signed to a try-out contract earlier in the day, made his first career start for the Pirates and allowed five goals on 42 shots to take the loss.

The Checkers out shot the Pirates 42-28 in the game.

The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the game were 1. Dodge, 2. Adam and 3. Terry.

The Pirates will be back in action at the Civic Center on Friday (November 5th) when the Adirondack Phantoms come to town for a 7:30 p.m. faceoff. All fans will receive two free tickets to a future Pirates game with a donation to Goodwill. It’s also United Way Night. As part of the pre-game, a check presentation will be made to the United Way of Greater Portland representing funds raised through the Pirates involvement in the current United Way Campaign. Saturday it’s a Bud Light Hockey Night in Portland when the Pirates host the Providence Bruins at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center.

Tickets for the games, as well as each of the remaining Pirates home games, are on sale now by calling 207-775-3458, visiting the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office or on-line at ticketmaster.com.

There’s still plenty of time to cash in on great savings by purchasing discounted ticket plans and advance tickets for the Pirates 2010-11 season. Ticket packages are available to meet all budgets and schedules. Call a Pirates Ticket representative today at 207-828-4665 ext. 350 to see what you’ve been missing!

- Portland Pirates -

MAINEiacs get big win against best team in league, 4-3 over Quebec

Critchlow tipping home Dame-Malka's blast for the win. (Photo Ron Morin/MAINEiacs)

The Lewiston MAINEiacs took a big swing at the best team in the league, and finished standing with a 4-3 victory over the Queceq Remparts.

The Remparts came to Lewiston touting a 15-1-0-1 record to lead the QMJHL. Etienne Brodeur and the rest of the MAINEiacs had designs to put a crooked number in the loss column.

Brodeur got the 1st goal of the night, putting one past Remparts goalie Louis Domingue forthe lead 12:59 into the 1st. the goal was his league leading 16th of the season. The period finished that way with Lewiston having thr 1-0 advantage. The MAINEiacs controlled the SOG as well, taking an 11 - 4 advantage.

The lead didn't last long in the 2nd, as Mikeal Tam put one past MAINEiacs goalie Nicholas Champion that rattled off the post and Champion before crossing the goal line to tie it at one just 2:09 in.

The Remparts took a 2 - 1 lead 10 minutes later as Ryan Bourque, son of legendary Bruins defenseman Ray Bourque, netted his 6th of the season.

The MAINEiacs kept the pressure up, getting the equalizer with less than a minute left in the 2nd. Jess Tanguy stole the puck right in front of Domingue, went top shelf and put one home to tie the game at 2.

The MAINEiacs grabbed the lead back with a shorthanded tally 7:08 into the 3rd. With Samual Henley of for tripping at 6:49 of the period (only the 2nd and final penalty of the night), Brodeur got free for his 4th shorthanded goal of the season and his 17th tally overall. Chritchlow and Carrier assited on the goal.

The lead didn't last long, as with seconds to go in the penaltly, Champion misread the shot, and Joel Champagne tied the score at 3 for the Remparts with the power play tally.

The MAINEiacs got the game winner some 5 and a half minutes later as Oliver Dame-Malka delivered one of his pattened blue line blasts. Originally the goal was awarded to Malka, but review had Cam Critchlow tipping it home past Domingue for the 4 - 3 win.

GAME NOTES: Critchlow finsihed with a goal and 2 assists, while Etienne Brodeur netted his QMJHL leading 16 and 17th goals. Visa issues were finally cleared up, as Kirill Kabanov made his way to the Colisee. he is expected to play this weekend for Lewiston. The 3 Stars of the Game were #3 Tam for Quebec, #2 Cam Critchlow and #1 Etienne Brodeur.

Pirates win in another shootout 4 - 3 over Checkers

Corey Tropp before his shootout tying goal earlier this season. (Photo Jeff Schools)

Corey Tropp didn't leave the chad hanging, putting home a shootout goal to give the Pirates a 4-3 win in Charlotte against the Checkers.

Tropp netted an equalizer in the late rounds at the Civic Center in mid October, this time, he got the game winner for the Pirates completing the win.

Luke Adam, fresh of being named AHL Player of the Month, opened the scoring for the Pirates just 2 minutes in for the 1 - 0 lead. The Checkers evened things up just 4 m,inutes later, and the period ended with the score tied at 1.

The Checkers took the lead early in the 2nd as Nick Dodge put one past Pirates goalie David Leggio for the 2 - 1 advantage.

Mark Parrish tied the score at 2 just 5 minutes later, putting one past Checkers goalie Mike Murphy.

Derek Whitmore lit the lamp next for the Pirates with less then 1 minute to go in the 2nd, to put the Pirates on top 3 - 2.

The Pirates seemed to hold the Checkers off, but entirely to often this season, they have had trouble closing out the last minute. Tuesday night would be no different, with Murphy off for the extra attacker, and the Pirates Alex Biega off for holding, Chris Terry put one past Leggio with one second left on the clock, setting overtime.

The two teams totaled only 5 shots on goal in the extra frame, before Tropp sent the Pirates away with a 4 - 3 win in the shootout.

Jeff Schools

Spencer Abbott named Hockey East Player of the Month

Spencer Abbott (Photo Jeff Schools)

University of Maine men's ice hockey forward Spencer Abbott (Hamilton, Ontario) was named the Athletic Republic Hockey East Player of the Month for October. The junior scored six goals and dished out seven assists for 13 points.

Abbott leads Hockey East in scoring and ranks tied for fourth in the nation.

Abbott began the season with a goal and an assist in Maine's 8-2 win over UMass Lowell. He finished the game an impressive +4. He followed that up by netting a goal in Maine's game against UConn.

Abbott tallied a pair of assists in Maine's 4-4 draw at Michigan State. The following night he scored two goals in a school-record 10 second span. He has a pair of assists in Maine's 7-3 victory over then second-ranked North Dakota on Oct. 22 and followed that up by scoring a goal and adding an assist the next night againt the Fighting Sioux.

Abbott had a goal and an assist in Maine's 3-2 victory over Vermont on Oct. 3. He notched the game-winning goal on a breakaway in overtime against the Catamounts to give the Black Bears the win.

Abbott has tallied at least one point in all seven games this season. Dating back to last season, he is in the midst of a nine-game scoring streak. He has two points in six of Maine's seven games this season.

Abbott and the Black Bears, ranked seventh in both national polls released on Monday, Nov. 1, travel to third-ranked Boston University for a single game on Saturday, Nov. 6. Maine enters the game with a record of 4-1-2, 2-0-0 in Hockey East play, while Boston University is 6-0-1, 4-0-1 in conference play. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM.

Sullivan Hockey East Rookie of the Week

Maine Goalie Dan Sullivan takes Rookie of the Week (Photo Jeff Schools)

University of Maine freshman Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.) was named the Pro Ambitions Hockey East Rookie of the Week on Monday, Nov. 1.

Sullivan made 23 saves as Maine defeated Vermont 3-2 in overtime on Saturday night in Burlington, Vt. The 23 saves tied his career high. Sullivan made nine saves in the third period and a pair of stops in overtime.

Sullivan improves to 2-1-0 on the season. He has a 2.52 goals against average and a .892 save percentage.

Sullivan and the Black Black Bears, ranked seventh in the nation in the latest polls released on Monday, Nov. 1, return to action on Saturday, Nov. 6. Maine will travel to Boston University to face the undefeated and third-ranked Terriers.

--Black Bears Communications--

Adam Named Reebok/AHL Rookie of the Month

Luke Adam adds more hardware to his collection (Photo Jeff Schools)

Luke Adam, who got off to a torrid start to the season, was named the Reebok/AHL Rookie of the Month.

Adam tallied six goals, seven assists and a plus-6 rating in 9 games with the Pirates, who are currently in first place of the Atlantic Division. He has been recalled to Buffalo twice, the first time being on October 26th against Philadelphia, and again over the weekend against Dallas.

He made his pro debut with the Pirates during the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs and will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Pirates home game.

Portland Pirates Derek Whitmore Named PTP Player of the Week

#1 STAR and Winner of PTP POTW -Portland Pirates Derek Whitmore had a big hand in the Pirates winning 2 big road games this week, scoring 2 goals and adding one assist. Whitmore also netted his 2nd Game Winning Shootout Goal of the season in the Pirates 6 - 5 win over Norfolk Friday. Congrats to Derek being named the 3rd recipient of Pine Tree Pucks Player of the Week.

2nd Star - Portland Pirates Marc Andre-Gragnani 3 goals including a game winner in OT in Saturdays 7-6 OT game against the Admirals.

3rd Star - Lewiston MAINEiacs Goaltender Nicholas Champion stopping 51 of 57 shots in 2 big Lewiston MAINEiacs wins.

Weekend Recap: Bears, Pirates, Maineiacs all win

It was a good weekend for local hockey, as all three teams won.

For the Pirates, who went on the road to Norfolk, Derek Whitmore scored the shootout game winner for the second time this season and David Leggio turned aside four of the five shots he faced to lift the Portland Pirates to a 6-5 win over the Norfolk Admirals on Friday night. The Pirates improved to 7-2 on the year and dropped Norfolk to 5-2-0-1. They have two games in Charlotte Tuesday and Wednesday night.

On Saturday, Luke Adam was recalled to Buffalo and had a shot on goal in the Sabres 4-0 loss to the Stars.

With the Maineiacs, they picked up a 5-4 comeback win in Drummondville. In front of 2,790 fans, Nicholas Champion stopped 30 shots, and the Maineiacs scored 3 goals in the first 4 minutes and 55 seconds of the 3rd period, as Michael Chaput, Francis Beauvillier, and Jess Tanguay got the tallies in the third, and it turned out to be enough for the win. With the win (hat tip to DJ Abisalih on this), The MAINEiacs picked up a total of 18 points in October. That ties the mark for the second highest point total in a month in franchise history. 9 wins are also tied for the second most in a month in franchise history.

The MAINEiacs return home this week to begin a five-game homestand on Wednesday night at 7:00 against the Quebec Remparts.

The Maine Black Bears knocked off Vermont, using a 49-22 face-off advantage to beat the Catamounts 3-2 in overtime. The final two goals came directly off of faceoff wins, including the one in overtime when Gustav Nyquist won the draw, sent it to Josh Van Dyk who dumped off the boards, where the puck went to Spencer Abbott, who scored the game-winner. Maine also had a 42-25 advantage in shots on goal.Dan Sullivan had 23 saves.

The Black Bears are back in action Saturday at Boston University.