Portland, Maine - The Pirates collected five of a possible six points in games last week, posting a pair of victories to go along with an overtime loss. The results extended the Pirates current points streak to 11 games (8-0-2-1) and moved them to within one point of first place in the Atlantic Division. Portland, now 44-22-7-4, captured a pair of road games to open last week’s action, enjoying a 6-3 victory in Springfield Friday and a 3-1 win in Bridgeport on Saturday. The weekend concluded with a 3-2 overtime loss to Providence at the Cumberland County Civic Center on Sunday.

The Pirates erupted for four unanswered third-period goals on their way to a 6-3 win over Springfield Friday night at the MassMutual Center. Brad Larsen paced the offense with two goals to help the Pirates extend their points streak to nine games (7-0-1-1) and their winning streak to five straight. T.J. Brennan added a goal and an assist while single goals went to Philip Gogulla, Cody McCormick and Travis Turnbull. Paul Byron chipped in with a pair of helpers.

Saturday in Bridgeport, Todd Ford made 28 saves to lead the Pirates to a 3-1 win over the Sound Tigers at Arena at Harbor Yard. Mark Mancari registered a goal and an assist in Portland’s six consecutive victory while Kyle Wanvig’s and Derek Whitmore also scored. Byron collected two assists as the Pirates also extended their points streak to 10 games (8-0-1-1).

Kirk MacDonald scored 2:10 into overtime to cap a comeback as Providence beat the Pirates 3-2 Sunday at the CCCC. Zach Hamill forced the extra time when he tied the game with 47 seconds remaining regulation. Whitmore and McCormick scored for the Pirates, who saw their six-game winning streak and four-game home winning streak end but extended their points streak to 11 games (8-0-2-1). The loss also moved the Pirates to within one point of the Atlantic Division-leading Sharks.

This Week:
The Pirates close out the regular season with three games in three days. Friday the Pirates are in Manchester to meet the Monarchs before returning to the CCCC for games Saturday (Lowell, 7 p.m.) and Sunday (Worcester, 4 p.m.). Tickets for the Saturday and Sunday games are available by calling (207) 775-3458, visiting the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office or going on-line at www.portlandpirates.com. All three games can be heard live on News Talk WLOB 95.5 FM and on-line at www.portlandpirates.com beginning with the pre-game show 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.


Friday, April 9, 2010 @ Manchester Monarchs (Verizon Wireless Arena), 7:30 p.m.
Click here to listen to the Pirates live on News Talk 95.5 WLOB.

• Manchester heads into their final three games of the season six points behind the Pirates for second in the Atlantic Division with a 42-26-3-6 record. The Monarchs need to win their final three games and have the Pirates lose their final three games (all in regulation) in order to move into second in the division standings.
  
• The Monarchs have won seven straight and are 8-1-0-1 in their last 10 games. Their lone blemishes in the last 10 have been to the Pirates (shootout loss on March 19th and a regulation loss March 21st).
  
• Bud Holloway leads the Monarchs in scoring with 46 points in 72 games.
  
• Jonathan Bernier’s 2.03 goals against average is second-best in the AHL and his nine shutouts are the most in the League.
  
• The Pirates are 7-1-1-0 against the Monarchs this season.
  

Saturday, April 10, 2010 vs. Lowell Devils (CCCC), 7 p.m.
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Click here to listen to the Pirates live on News Talk 95.5 WLOB.

• The Devils are 37-30-4-6 on the season and currently hold the fourth and final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. Lowell is two points ahead of Bridgeport for the final Atlantic Division post-season berth and four points ahead of Norfolk for the last playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
  
• Ben Walter leads the Devils in scoring with 53 points in 75 games while Michael Swift and Nick Palmieri are tied for the team goal-scoring lead with 21.
  
• The Pirates are 5-3-1-0 against the Devils this season with Lowell winning the last meeting by a 3-2 overtime count on March 20th.
  

Sunday, April 11, 2010 vs. Worcester Sharks (CCCC), 4 p.m.
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Click here to listen to the Pirates live on News Talk 95.5 WLOB.

• Worcester stands first in the Atlantic Division with a 47-23-3-3 record heading into this week’s action. The Sharks are one point ahead of the Pirates for top spot and own one game in hand.
  
• Danny Groulx is one of only three defensemen to lead their team in scoring. The veteran blue liner has 11 goals and 51 assists for 62 points (tops among defenders in the AHL) in 76 games.
  
• T.J. Trevelyan’s 26 goals are tops on the Sharks.
  
• Goaltender Alex Stalock leads the AHL is wins with 37.
  

Recent Pirates Transaction:
None

Pirates Practice:
All practices at the Cumberland County Civic Center unless otherwise noted. As schedules are subject to last-minute changes, please call the Pirates office ahead of time at 207-828-4665 ext. 313 to confirm location and time.
Monday, April 5th – CCCC 10 a.m.
Tuesday, April 6th – Off
Wednesday, April 7th – CCCC 10 a.m.
Thursday, April 8th – CCCC 10 a.m.
Friday, April 9th – 7:30 p.m. (Game @ Manchester)
Saturday, April 10th – 7 p.m. (Game vs. Lowell)
Sunday, April 11th – 4 p.m. (Game vs. Worcester)

Pirates Events:

Saturday, April 10th vs. Lowell 7 p.m.
Delta Dental Toothbrush Giveaway, Student Achiever, Boy Scout Sleepover and Labatt Blue Light Hockey Night in Portland
Saturday it’s a Labatt Blue Light Hockey Night in Portland when the Pirates take on the Lowell Devils Saturday at 7 p.m. at the CCCC. Join the following friends of Labatt Blue Light and the Pirates before and after the game at Binga’s Stadium ($3 Labatt drafts), Brian Boru ($2.40 Labatt drafts), Frosty Pint ($2.50 Labatt Drafts and Labatt Light bottles) and Spring Point Tavern ($2 Labatt drafts).The first 2,000 fans in to the game will receive a free toothbrush courtesy of Northeast Delta Dental. The Pirates also welcome area Boy Scouts to the game. The Boy Scouts will enjoy a post-game skate, movie on the video board and a sleepover. Salty Pete’s Treasure Chest will be up for grabs filled with over $500 in prizes. Tickets for the game are available by calling (207) 775-3458, visiting the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office or going on-line at www.portlandpirates.com.

Sunday, April 11th vs. Worcester 4 p.m.
Shirts Off Their Back Day - Fan Appreciation, USA Hockey Member Appreciation Day & UNUM Challenge
Sunday the Pirates close out the Regular Season in a 4 p.m. game against the Worcester Sharks at the CCCC. It’s PeoplesChoice Credit Union Fan Appreciation Day as select fans will win the shirt right off the back of their favorite player at the end of the game. The UNUM Challenge concludes with the Sharks leading 4-3. It’s USA Hockey Member Appreciation Night. USA Hockey Members their family and friends can get special discounted ticket price of $9 per person. And it’s a Sudzie Family Five Pack Game. Five Main Deck tickets, five hot dogs or pizza slices, five sodas, one Daily Scroll game program, and one free Sudzie Minuteman exterior car wash for only $60. Stick around for the Creative Awards Team Awards Ceremony at the conclusion of the game. Tickets for the game are available by calling (207) 775-3458, visiting the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office or going on-line at www.portlandpirates.com.

2010-11 PIRATES SEASON TICKETS
Pirates 2010-11 Season Ticket Packages are now available. Fans can enjoy the high flying and hard hitting enjoyment of Pirates hockey and become a Pirates Ticket Holder for as little as $144. Due to popular demand, the Pirates will play all 40 of their home games in 2010-11 at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Plus, Season Ticket prices remain unchanged for the second straight season! Pirates Season Ticket Holders enjoy numerous benefits including a substantial savings off the Box Office price, guaranteed seat location, flexible payment options, free combination passes to Funtown Splashtown and much, much more. Plus, full Season Ticket Holders receive five free Flex Tickets for each seat purchased and the ability to reserve premium giveaway items prior to general public distribution. To reserve your 2010-11 Season Ticket simply call the Pirates Office at 207-828-4665 ext. 350, visit the Pirates Office at 94 Free Street or go on-line at www.portlandpirates.com.

Pirates Promotions:

Sudzie Family Five Packs provide you with Five Main Deck Tickets, Five Hot Dogs or Pizza Slices, Five Sodas, and One "Daily Scroll" all for the discounted price of $60. This season, with each purchase of a Sudzie Family Five Pack, fans will receive a coupon for one (1) free Sudzie Minuteman exterior wash (valued at $11). In total, that's a value of $123 for only $60. For more information call a Portland Pirates Ticket Representative at 207-828-4665 ext. 350.

It’s a 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic Season in Portland!
Come See What You’ve Been Missing!
WWW.PORTLANDPIRATES.COM