Norfolk, VA - Kyle Rank and Tyler Ennis scored in a two-minute span early in the second to break a tie game and lead the Portland Pirates to a 6-4 win over the Norfolk Admirals in an American Hockey League game played tonight in front of 3,342 at Scope Arena.

Mike Kostka, Jeff Cowan Mark Mancari and Kyle Rank also scored for the Pirates, who posted their first road win of the season. The Portland win ended a three-game losing streak and upped their record to 3-6 on the season.

Philip Gogulla collected two assists in the effort for the Pirates while Drew Schiestel earned his first career AHL assist. In addition, Cowan’s goal was the 50th of his AHL career.

Justin Keller paced the Admirals with a pair of goals. Matt Lashoff, Juraj Simek and Ryan Craig rounded out the Norfolk scoring. The Admirals saw a two-game winning streak come to an end with the loss and are now 3-5 on the season.

The Admirals led 3-1 after one. The Pirates found their groove in the second as Kostka, Cowan and Mancari scored in a 12-minute span to vault Portland into a 4-3 advantage after two. Norfolk tied it in the opening minute of the third but the Pirates answered with two to build a 6-4 lead. Craig’s goal with just over five minutes left in regulation made things interesting but Portland hung on for the win.

JP Lamoureux started for the Pirates and allowed five goals on 26 shots to earn his first career AHL victory.

The three stars of the game were 1. Ennis; 2. Keller and 3. Mancari.

The Pirates end a five-game road trip tomorrow (Sunday) when they head to Hershey to meet the Bears. The game can be heard live on News Talk WLOB 95.5FM and on-line at www.portlandpirates.com beginning with the pre-game show at 4:45 p.m.

The next Pirates home game takes place Friday (October 30th) when the Lowell Devils visit the CCCC on Breast Cancer Awareness Night, presented by Paradigm Window Solutions. The Pirates will wear commemorative jerseys, which will be included in a silent auction during and following the game. The proceeds of the auction, as well as a portion of the game’s 50/50 sales, will be donated to the Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute's Breast Care Center. In addition, the Pirates have committed to donate $3 from every advanced ticket purchased through this promotion to the Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute's Breast Care Center to help promote breast health and research. In order for a donation to be made, tickets for the October 30th game must be purchased by calling the Pirates ticket office at (207) 828-4665 ext. 317. Advance or game-day tickets purchased at the CCCC Box Office will not qualify for the $3 donation.

Saturday (October 31st) it’s a Halloween celebration as the Pirates take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a 7 p.m. start at the CCCC. All fans attending the game in costume will receive a free flex ticket good for a future Pirates game, one fan dressed as the best pirate will win tickets to the 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic, kids can trick or treat, there will be a costume parade and lots of great prizes. Tickets for the game, as well as all other Pirates home games at the Cumberland County Civic Center, are now on sale by calling (207) 775-3458, visiting the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office or going on-line at www.portlandpirates.com.

Ticket plans for the 2009-2010 season are available at the Pirates office, located at 94 Free Street in Portland. The Pirates office is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For all the information about Pirates 2009-2010 ticket plans and 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic visit www.portlandpirates.com or call (207) 828-4665 Ext. 350 to speak with one of the Pirates account executives.

It’s a 2010 Time Warner Cable All-Star Classic Season in Portland.
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