Pirates fall to Monarchs after Four Unanswered Goals

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Pirates fall to Monarchs after Four Unanswered Goals

Box Score: Click Here

Manchester, NH– The first place Portland Pirates faltered in Manchester on Sunday, dropping a 5-2 decision to the Monarchs. The loss gives the Monarchs a 4-3 advantage in the VIP Cup Series, presented by VIP Parts, Tires, & Service.

Darian Dziurzynski got the Pirates on the board 3:26 into the game with a shot that beat Manchester starter Martin Jones. Dziurzynski’s goal was his 4^th of the season, with Phil Lane and Brandon Gormley adding assists. The Monarchs tied the score on their first power play of the afternoon, as Jordan Weal put the puck past Pirates goaltender Chad Johnson with 7:07 to go in the first. The Pirates responded with their first power play goal in their last 24 chances, as Brandon Gormley would beat Jones for his 4^th of the year with 4:53 left in the first, and the Pirates would hit the first intermission with a 2-1 lead.

The second period belonged to the Monarchs. Andy Andreoff scored the game tying goal with 5:38 to go in the second, with Brian O’Neill picking up the assist. Just over 2 minutes later, Andreoff fed Monarchs captain Marc-Andre Cliché, who buried the one-timer to give Manchester the lead with 3:21 to go in the second.

In the third, the Monarchs again dominated. Jordan Weal got his second of the game with 10:40 left in regulation, and David Meckler scored his first of the season off a rebound just 48 seconds later, sealing the win for Manchester.

The victory gives Manchester a 4-3 advantage in the VIP Cup Series, and the Pirates their first back to back losses since November 17^th and 20^th. Portland is now 24-15-1-1 on the year, with the Monarchs now in 2^nd place in the Atlantic Division with a 19-17-2-2 record (44 points).

The Pirates get back to action next Friday when they travel to Providence for the second Friday in a row to face the Bruins. The Pirates defeated the Bruins in thrilling fashion on January 18^th, winning 3-2 in a seven round shootout. Puck drops at 7:05 PM and the game can be heard on 95.5 and 95.9 WPEI in the Portland area, 92.7FM and 100.7 FM WOXO FM in the Lewiston/Auburn area, and online on the WLOB radio player and AHL Live. Pregame show starts at 6:45 with the voice of the Pirates, Jeff Mannix.

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