Portland Pirates playoff schedule vs Connecticut Whale

Here is the schedule for Round 1 of the 2011 Calder Cup Playoffs


Atlantic Division Semifinal – Series “A” (best-of-7)
Portland Pirates vs Connecticut Whale
Game 1 – Thu., Apr. 14 – Connecticut at Portland, 7:00
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 16 – Connecticut at Portland, 7:00
Game 3 – Sun., Apr. 17 – Portland at Connecticut, 6:00
Game 4 – Tue., Apr. 19 – Portland at Connecticut, 7:00
*Game 5 – Thu., Apr. 21 – Connecticut at Portland, 7:00
*Game 6 – Sat., Apr. 23 – Portland at Connecticut, 7:00
*Game 7 – Mon., Apr. 25 – Connecticut at Portland, 7:00

Falcons soar over Pirates; Award winners announced

Luke Adam shoots during loss to Springfield (Photo Jason Gendron)

Nikita Filatov scored three minutes into overtime to lift the Springfield falcons to a 2-1 win over the Portland Pirates in an American Hockey League game played this afternoon in front of 7,051 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Tomas Kubalik netted the other goal for the Falcons, who finished the regular season with a 35-40-2-3 record.

Jacob Lagace registered the lone goal for the Pirates. Portland completed the 2010-11 regular season with a record of 47-24-7-2 and with the point assured themselves the most points in the AHL.

The two teams were scoreless through the first period. Lagace gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead early in the second period and that goal stood as the lone goal of the game as the two teams headed into the third. Kubalik tied the game five minutes into the third setting the stage for Filatov’s game winner.

The Falcons out shot the Pirates 27-18 in the game as David Leggio took the loss.

The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game were 1. Filatov, 2. Lagace and 3. Leggio.

In other Pirates news, the team announced their annual team award winners in a ceremony following today’s game against the Springfield Falcons at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Marc-Andre Gragnani was chosen as a double winner selected by the fans as the Most Popular Player as well as the Unsung Hero. The veteran defenseman, currently on recall with the Buffalo Sabres, is second in team scoring with 12 goals and 48 assists for 60 points in 63 games. His assist and point totals are new Pirates records for a defenseman. Gragnani’s season also included capturing the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s outstanding defenseman as well as being named a First Team All-Star.

For the second straight season Mark Mancari was selected as the Pirates Most Valuable Player, presented by Maine Medical Center. The 25 year-old London, Ontario native, who is also on recall with the Sabres, scored 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points in 56 games with the Pirates during the 2010-11 season. At the time of his recall Mancari, a First Team AHL All-Star, was the leading goal scorer in the AHL and among the league leaders in points.

Luke Adam won the Jack Button Memorial Award, presented annually to honor Buffalo’s top prospect. The Award is named in honor of the late Jack Button, who was a member of the Washington Capitals Hockey Department from 1979 until his death in 1996. Adam, the AHL’s Rookie-of-the-Year and a member of the AHL’s All-Rookie Team, finished his freshman campaign with 29 goals and 33 assists for 62 points in 56 games to rank second in AHL scoring.

Derek Whitmore was selected for the Tom Ebright Award, presented to the player who best exemplifies what it means to be a member of the Portland Pirates, as envisioned by team founder, the late Tom Ebright. Whitmore was also recognized for being selected as the Pirates IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year Award winner for a third straight season.

Mark Parrish was chosen by his teammates as the Player’s Player Award winner. Parrish was identified by his peers as a player they felt represents the team’s character and values while Paul Bryon was named the Sparkplug of the Year, presented by Mister Sparky, and the Allied Home Mortgage Three Star Award winner.

Each season, the Pirates honor a special partner who has shown exemplary partnership and support during the year. This season, the Pirates honored C5 Sports as their 2011 Partner of the Year.

Byron named inaugural Mister Sparky Spark Plug of the Year

Paul Byron, a 2007 draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, was was named the inaugural Mister Sparky Spark Plug Player of the Year today.

Paul Byron 2010-2011 Mister Sparky
Spark Plug of the Year Award Winner

Shawn LaPlante, from Mister Sparky in Portland, said "Paul Byron is a hard-working team player who always gives 110%. We were looking for a player who provides game-changing plays both offensively and defensively. His work ethic is impressive and it's evident every time he steps onto the ice. We are proud to have Paul represent Mister Sparky, America's On Time Electrician as the Spark Plug of the Year."

Byron, an alumni of the QMJHL

Other Award Winners

The Portland Pirates announced their annual team award winners in a ceremony following today’s game against the Springfield Falcons at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Marc-Andre Gragnani was chosen as a double winner selected by the fans as the Most Popular Player as well as the Unsung Hero. The veteran defenseman, currently on recall with the Buffalo Sabres, is second in team scoring with 12 goals and 48 assists for 60 points in 63 games. His assist and point totals are new Pirates records for a defenseman. Gragnani’s season also included capturing the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s outstanding defenseman as well as being named a First Team All-Star.

For the second straight season Mark Mancari was selected as the Pirates Most Valuable Player, presented by Maine Medical Center. The 25 year-old London, Ontario native, who is also on recall with the Sabres, scored 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points in 56 games with the Pirates during the 2010-11 season. At the time of his recall Mancari, a First Team AHL All-Star, was the leading goal scorer in the AHL and among the league leaders in points.
Luke Adam won the Jack Button Memorial Award, presented annually to honor Buffalo’s top prospect.  The Award is named in honor of the late Jack Button, who was a member of the Washington Capitals Hockey Department from 1979 until his death in 1996. Adam, the AHL’s Rookie-of-the-Year and a member of the AHL’s All-Rookie Team, finished his freshman campaign with 29 goals and 33 assists for 62 points in 56 games to rank second in AHL scoring.

Derek Whitmore was selected for the Tom Ebright Award, presented to the player who best exemplifies what it means to be a member of the Portland Pirates, as envisioned by team founder, the late Tom Ebright. Whitmore was also recognized for being selected as the Pirates IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year Award winner for a third straight season.

Mark Parrish was chosen by his teammates as the Player’s Player Award winner. Parrish was identified by his peers as a player they felt represents the team’s character and values while Paul Bryon was named the Sparkplug of the Year, presented by Mister Sparky, and the Allied Home Mortgage Three Star Award winner.

Each season, the Pirates honor a special partner who has shown exemplary partnership and support during the year. This season, the Pirates honored C5 Sports as their 2011 Partner of the Year.

The Pirates begin their pursuit of the 2011 Calder Cup in a best-of-seven series against the Connecticut Whale beginning Thursday, April 14th at 7 p.m. at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Pirates Playoff Hockey MISSION: 16W, powered by Time Warner Cable continues with Game 2 of the series Saturday, April 16th at 7 p.m. at the CCCC. Advance tickets are $18 for Adult Premium Main Deck, $17 for Adult Main Deck and $14 Adult Quarter Deck. Advance tickets for Youth/Senior/Student in the Premium Main Deck are $13 and $12 in the Main Deck or Quarter Deck. Get your tickets at the Civic Center Box Office, by calling (207) 775-3458 or at portlandpirates.com.

MAINEiacs even up series against Montreal 1-1

Olivier Dame-Malka had an afternoon of historic proportions on Saturday, playing in front of his family and friends in game two of the Lewiston MAINEiacs' best-of-seven series against the Montreal Junior. Dame-Malka lit the lamp four times, helping his team to a 6-2 victory, evening the series at one game each.

Both teams found the twine in the first period with power play goals. The Junior opened the scoring at the 3:57 mark, when Charles-Olivier Roussel rang a shot in off of the crossbar from the side of the right circle. Later in the period, Lewiston pulled even, as Olivier Dame-Malka rifled in a slap shot from the right point.

In the second period, Montreal jumped out to a 2-1 lead. Philippe Lefebvre took a shot from the top of the right circle that got bounced around in the slot. The loose puck found Jeremy Gouchie's stick, and with an empty net in front of him, Gouchie deposited the marker. With 19 seconds remaining in the frame, Lewiston tied the score, as Sam Carrier set up Olivier Dame-Malka for a one-timer from the right point, which he drilled into the top part of the net.

With the score tied at two, the MAINEiacs exploded, netting four tallies in the final eight minutes of the contest. Olivier Dame-Malka fired home his third and fourth goals of the afternoon, using slap shots to find the twine on both. With 2:20 to go, Antoine Houde-Caron iced the win with an empty netter, before Pierre-Olivier Morin's power play goal was scored with ten seconds remaining. Dame-Malka assisted on Morin's tally, giving him a five-point game.

Nicholas Champion was splendid between the pipes for Lewiston, turning aside 32 of the 34 shots he faced in the win. Jean-Francois Berube allowed five goals on 32 shots in the loss.

The MAINEiacs and Junior will now head to Lewiston for games three and four of the series, with game three taking place at 7:00 on Tuesday night.

Portland Pirates to face Connecticut Whale in 1st Round of AHL Playoffs

The Portland Pirates shootout win over the Albany Devils combined with a Connecticut Whale 4-3 loss to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers tonight means the Pirates will face the Whale in the opening round of the 2011 Calder Cup Playoffs beginning with Game 1 to be played Thursday, April 14th at 7 p.m. at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will be played Saturday, April 16th at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center with the series shifting to Connecticut for Games 3 and 4. The complete opening round playoff schedule will be announced upon the conclusion of regular season play tomorrow night.

Tickets for the first round of Portland Pirates Playoff Hockey MISSION: 16W, powered by Time Warner Cable will go on sale tomorrow (Sunday) at noon at the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office, by calling 207-775-3458, visiting the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office or on-line at ticketmaster.com.

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.

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.

Bruins slip past Pirates

Jordan Caron scored a pair of goals to lead the Providence Bruins to a 5-4 win over the Portland Pirates in an American Hockey League game played tonight in front of 8,871 at the Dunkin’ Donut Center.

Jordan Lavalle-Smotherman, Zach Hamill and Stefan Chaput also scored for the Bruins, who improved to 36-36-3-3 on the season.

Paul Byron paced the Pirates with a goal and two assists while Luke Adam and Mark Parrish collected a goal and an assist each. Portland saw their two-game winning streak end and are now 46-24-6-2 on the season.

The two teams played through a scoreless opening period. The Pirates grabbed the lead early in the second with goals by Parrish and Biega (featuring assists from Eric Baier and Joe Whitney for their first AHL points) in the span of 50 seconds. The Bruins responded with the final three goals of the period to carry a 3-2 lead into third. Smotherman got the Bruins rolling just 1:13 after the Biega goal and Caron netted back-to-back goals to put the home side up by one. Hamill and Chaput struck in the opening seven minutes of the third to build the Bruins lead to 5-2 before Adam and Byron connected to make for an exciting finish.

The Bruins out shot the Pirates 37-30 in the game as David Leggio took the loss.
The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game were 1. Caron; 2. Hamill and 3. Byron.

-PIRATES-