Pirates jumped by Checkers 5 - 4 but still clinch playoff spot

Chris Terry scored two goals and Zach Boychuk earned three points on a goal and two assists to lead the Charlotte Checkers to a 5-4 victory over the Portland Pirates in an American Hockey League game played tonight in front of 5,420 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
          
Cedric McNicoll and Jacob Micflikier also scored for the Checkers as their record improved to 40-25-2-7 overall and 21-13-1-3 on the road.
          
Jacob Lagace recorded the first two-goal game of his AHL career in the loss. Mark Parrish and Mark Voakes also scored for the Pirates as they dropped their third straight game, dropping to 43-20-6-2 with the loss.
          
Lagace put the hosts up early in a high scoring first period, notching his eighth goal of the season only two minutes into the game. McNicoll and Terry provided an answer for Charlotte, giving them a brief 2-1 lead at the 16:48 mark. With 19 seconds remaining in the period, Voakes tipped in a rebound to send the game into the first intermission tied at two. In the second period both teams combined for 29 shots, but the only tally came from Parrish at 17:43 to give Portland their second lead of the game. The Checkers struck quickly in the third period, with Sanguinetti capitalizing on a four-on-four opportunity at 2:50 and Terry connecting on a power-play goal for his second of the game 85 seconds later. Charlotte upped their lead to two when Boychuk scored at 6:29, and would hold on for the victory after Lagace made the game interesting by cutting the lead to one with just under four minutes remaining in the game.
          
The Checkers out-shot the Pirates 40-36 as Justin Pogge improved his record to 19-16-4. David Leggio received the loss in net for Portland as his overall record dropped to 21-7-0.
          
The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the game were: 1. Boychuk, 2. Lagace and 3. Micflikier.
          
The Pirates and USA Hockey are proud to offer all USA Hockey Members in the state of Maine, their families and friends the ability to buy discounted tickets to the Tuesday evening (March 29th) showdown against the Providence Bruins. Visit the promotions page on the Portland Pirates website to order your discount tickets. Fans are encouraged to come to the game right after work and enjoy great food and beverage specials in the Civic Center’s Penalty Box Grill, which will open at 4:30 p.m., as well as the following Pirates partners: Portland Pie Company, Rivalries, Gritty’s, Nosh Kitchen Bar, Binga’s Stadium, Dogfish Café, Walters and Yosaku. It is also Pirates Date Night presented by WJBQ, WCYY and WBLM. Visit RiRa Irish Pub or G&R DiMillo's for dinner for two and two tickets to the game for only $19.99.
          
Join Salty Pete Pacers, or any other Southern Maine Heart Walk Team, and receive a free ticket to see the Pirates play the Bridgeport Sound Tigers the following night on Wednesday, March 30th at 6:30 p.m. Visit the promotional page on the Portland Pirates website to purchase tickets with $3 from each additional ticket purchased being donated to the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association will be selling Mystery Pucks signed by a Pirates player for $10 at the game. There are numerous additional prizes to be won including an autographed Pirates jersey.
          
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.

PLAYOFF TICKET INFO

PLAYOFFS STRIPS

Playoff strips for the 2011 Portland Pirates Playoff Hockey, MISSION: 16W, powered by Time Warner Cable will go on sale tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Pirates Office located at 94 Free Street.
      
Playoff strips are only available to existing 2010-11 full, half or mini ticket package holders or those who have committed to a full, half or mini ticket package for 2011-12.
        
A $50 deposit per seat reserves your seat locations for all four potential rounds of the 2011 Calder Cup Playoffs and ensures the best possible seats for the playoffs at big savings. Playoff strips also eliminate the need to wait in long Box Office lines or pay any additional fees.
          
All current Season Ticket Holders will receive direct communication in the form of a letter or email message outlining special post season benefits not available to the general public.
          
Premium or Main Deck strips are $224 for adults while Quarter Deck adult strips are $176. Premium, Main or Quarter Deck Strips for youth, senior or students are $144.
          
Deposits for playoff seat locations must be received no later than Wednesday, April 6th.

To purchase your strips for the 2011 Portland Pirates Playoff Hockey, MISSION: 16W, powered by Time Warner Cable call 207-828-4665 ext. 350.
          
GROUP PLAYOFF TICKETS

Groups interested in making arrangements to attend a Pirates playoff game are encouraged to call 207-828-4665 ext. 350.
          
INDIVIDUAL PLAYOFF TICKETS

Individual tickets for Round 1 of Pirates Playoff Hockey, MISSION 16W, powered by Time Warner Cable will go on sale at the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office when dates and opponent are finalized.

-PORTLAND PIRATES-