Pirates tame Albany Devils in Shootout, win 3-2

Paul Byron and Derek Whitmore scored in the shootout and John Muse stopped four of five attempts as the Portland Pirates clinched the Atlantic Division Title with a 3-2 win over the Albany Devils in an American Hockey League game played tonight at the Times Union Center.

Travis Turnbull and Byron, on a second-period penalty shot, scored in regulation for the Pirates, who improved to 47-24-6-2 on the season and captured their first division title since 2005-06.
Matt Anderson and Mike Hoeffel scored power-play goals for the Devils, now 32-41-1-5 on the season.

The Devils opened the scoring just 26 seconds into the game as Anderson scored on the power play. Turnbull (in his first game since November 27th) answered the early goal midway through the period leaving the game tied at one after one. Byron gave the Pirates their first lead of the game six minutes into the second period when he scored on a penalty shot but the Devils netted their second power-play goal of the game in the final 10 seconds of the period to send the two teams into the third tied at two. Neither team was able to score in the third or overtime setting up the shootout.

The Devils out shot the Pirates 35-25 as Muse posted his first AHL victory in his first AHL start.

The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game were 1. Byron, 2. Devils forward Chad Wiseman (two assists) and 3. Whitmore.

The Pirates will be back in action at the Civic Center tomorrow in the regular season finale when the Springfield Falcons come to town for a 4 p.m. faceoff. The first 2,500 through the gate will receive a free Pirates T-shirt courtesy of Five County Credit Union. The Shirts Off Their Backs promotion will come to a conclusion on Sunday, as a select number of lucky fans will win a player’s jersey right off their back at the end of the game. In addition, players will be recognized at the end of the game in the Creative Awards Team Awards Ceremony. Fans can also take advantage of the final Sunday Family Five Pack game where they can purchase five Main Deck Tickets, five Daily Scrolls, and five Chuck-a-Pies for only $60 (valued at $100 if purchased individually).

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.