BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The Portland Pirates won their first game after an eight-day layoff Sunday, defeating the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 4-2 behind three special teams goals.
Randy Jones got the shorthanded game-winner for the Pirates, while Jordan Szwarz and Lucas Lessio each had power play tallies. Louis Domingue made 24 saves to win his second straight start.
Each team was afforded an early power play, with Bridgeport capitalizing on its first man advantage of the night.
Jake Newton converted after a Mathieu Brodeur penalty at the 10:40 mark of the first, giving the Sound Tigers a 1-0 lead.
Louis Domingue then committed a tripping violation at 13:46 of the first period to set the Pirates’ career record for penalty minutes by a goaltender with 33, breaking Martin Brochu’s record of 32, but the Pirates were able to kill the penalty. Bridgeport outshot the Pirates 9-4 in the first.
The Pirates tied the game early in the second. Lessio capitalized on a power play opportunity at 4:44 of the second to knot the game at 1. Lessio’s goal was his 22nd of the year and extended his point streak to three games, with Szwarz and Cade Fairchild picking up assists, including Fairchild’s first with the Pirates.
The Sound Tigers jumped back in front with 4:57 left in the second frame, with Ryan Walters scoring his first professional goal, but Portland used the power play to its advantage again. Szwarz equalized the game with 15.5 seconds left in the period for his eighth goal of the season and third in as many games, tying the game a second time. Lessio and Tim Kennedy had the assists.
Portland took control in the third.
After a penalty to Lessio, Andy Miele fed Jones, who scored his second goal of the season with 7:41 left.
Jordan Martinook sealed the game for the Pirates, adding an empty- net tally with 24 seconds left. Brodeur assisted Martinook’s 12th goal of the year.
Domingue made 24 saves for his second straight win, while Szwarz extended his goal-scoring streak to three games. Lessio had two points to extend his scoring streak to three games as well, while Miele added an assist in his first game back from the Phoenix Coyotes.
Newly signed Coyotes prospect Greg Carey made his AHL and professional debut for the Pirates.
The Pirates will play at home three times this week, starting with a Wednesday matchup against the Worcester Sharks at Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Portland will host Providence on Friday night for the 2nd annual Purple Night presented by Central Maine Medical Center,
Lewiston’s Tom Caron of NESN will be inducted into the Portland Pirates Hall of Fame during Saturday’s VIP Cup Game, presented by VIP Tires & Service, against the Manchester Monarchs. Visit portlandpirates.com for all the details and call the Colisee Box Office at 783-2009 ext. 525 for tickets. Tickets are also available by visiting thecolisee.com.
The Pirates have announced eight guaranteed dates for the 2014-15 season as the Pirates return to the Cumberland County Civic Center! Group tickets are available for all eight of the announced dates and flex and season tickets for the 2014-15 season are now on sale! For more information on the guaranteed dates, click here and for more information on ticket plans, call 207-828-4665.
– See more at: http://www.portlandpirates.com/news/pregame/index.html?article_id=482#sthash.ksSfWdP1.dpuf
Send questions/comments to the editors.
