NORFOLK, VA- For the second time in as many nights, the Portland Pirates took the victory from the Norfolk Admirals.
Friday night, Pirates’ Goaltender Jhonas Enroth registered his first career shutout, stopping 29 Admirals’ shots. After a scoreless first period, Tim Kennedy put Portland on the board 10, minutes into the second stanza followed less then a minute later by teammate Felix Schultz.
Portland rookie Nathan Gerbe followed within five minutes of Schulitz’ goal to put Portland ahead, 3-0. The Pirates didn’t show any signs of slowing down in the third frame, picking up an extended power play that lasted 3:13.
The penalty filled period featured chippy play that earned players on both teams fighting and misconduct penalties. Pirate Aaron Slattengren picked up his first goal of the season, giving Portland a 4-0 lead at the 4:52 mark. Enroth did the rest, denying repeated Norfolk scoring opportunities.
Saturday night, the Admirals came out determined to regain some footing, with former Pirates goalie Mike McKenna in the pipes.
But despite Norfolk’s efforts, Portland came up with the first tally of the game, when winger Mark Mancari slipped a shot past McKenna with less then a minute left if the first.
For the second night the two teams racked up some penalty minutes, this time in the second stanza. Norfolk’s Jay Rosehill put Norfolk on the board at 5:26, landing a shot past Enroth for his first goal of the season. Chris Lawrence and Bracken Kearns registered assists.
Fighting back, Portland’s Tim Kennedy and Coltin Fretter both notched goals within two minutes of each other frustrating McKenna in the crease and giving the Pirates a 3-1 lead over Norfolk. The Ads’ Brendan Segal answered back two minutes later, closing the margin by a goal with 3 minutes left in the stanza. Segal continued what he started at the bottom of the second, sending a shot at 3:28 into the third past Enroth and evening the score, 3-3.
Not to be outdone, Mathieu Darche put the Pirates back in the lead less then 4 minutes later at the 6:51 mark, giving Portland a two-goal margin. But Felix Schultz scored at the 11:47 mark, putting Portland ahead, 5-3.
Enroth picked up the victory both nights. Friday night saw Enroth with the win and 29 saves while Ad’s net minder Karri Ramo took the loss, making 14 saves.
Saturday night Enroth had 35 saves; Mike McKenna stopped 25.
The Admirals conclude a five-game home stand this weekend, November 7 and 8, agains the Rockford Icehogs at Scope arena. The Icehogs are the AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks — a role the Admirals had assume through the 2006-2007 season. Several former Admirals will be returning , including fan favorite goaltender Corey Crawford.
Contact the author at lisa.murphywood@prohockeynews.com.
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