Puck Drop Note: Due to our writers being off today this is an exact copy of the Game recap from the Portland Pirates Website. Our writers will have a recap up for this game and coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals up soon.
Wilkes-Barre, PA- Andrew Ebbett notched two goals for the Pirates but Connor James matched his output and scored the game-winner, helping the Penguins to a 4-3 overtime win in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the Wachovia Arena on Friday night. Game 7 is set for Saturday night at 7:05 pm, with a trip to the 2008 Calder Cup Finals on the line.
After a scoreless first period and more than six minutes of scoreless but physical hockey in the second frame, the Pirates got on the board twice in just over a minute. At the 13:54 mark, Andrew Ebbett picked up a rebound from the high slot and backhanded a shot past Wilkes-Barre net minder John Curry for his 5th goal of the playoffs. The goal was assisted by Brendan Mikkelson and Tyler Bouck.
Just over a minute later, the Pirates took a 2-0 advantage at the 15:09 mark when Geoff Platt picked up a one-time feed from Bobby Ryan without much room in front of the net, but shoved the puck past the pads of John Curry. It was Platt's 7th goal of the playoffs and was assisted by Joe Callahan and Bobby Ryan.
The Pirates took a 3-0 advantage when Andrew Ebbett notched his second goal of the game and 6th of the playoffs. Geoff Platt wrapped around the back of the net and out to the near side circle sending a feed to Ebbett who redirected the puck into the back of the cage, beating John Curry on the stick side. The goal came at the 19:27 mark and was assisted by Geoff Platt and Andy Schneider.
Seconds later, the Penguins finally got on the board at the 19:49 mark when Connor James picked up a loose puck in the slot and fired a shot past the pads of Portland goalie Mike McKenna. It was James' 6th goal of the playoffs and was assisted by Alex Goligoski and Ned Havern.
Less than three minutes into the third frame, the Penguins brought the game to within one goal. Ryan Lannon fed the puck from the near side blue line to Chris Minard and he fired a shot from the point that went sizzling past the pads of Mike McKenna. The goal was Minard's 9th of the playoffs and was assisted by Ryan Lannon and Tim Brent. The goal came at the 2:55 mark.
The Penguins kept their momentum going and tied the game at three at the 14:17 mark when Chris Minard notched his second goal of the game. Minard took a shot from the right wing circle and the puck snuck under the right arm of Mike McKenna. It was Minard's 10th goal of the playoffs and was assisted by Alex Goligoski and Mark Ardelan.
Just 20 seconds into sudden death overtime, Connor James notched the game-winner and his 2nd goal of the game when he rushed in along the right wing wall and snapped a high shot past Mike McKenna's glove side. It was James' 7th goal of the playoffs and was assisted by Jonathan Filewich and Nathan Smith.
Pirates net minder Mike McKenna turned aside 22 shots in the loss and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goalie John Curry stopped 23 shots in the win.
Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game: 1. Andrew Ebbett (POR) 2. Chris Minard (WBS) 3. Connor James (WBS)
Notes: Tonight's game marked the Pirates 113th Calder cup playoff game franchise history; the Pirates are 62-51 in those contests. Bobby Ryan has a five-game scoring streak (3-5-8). Ryan also has a point in nine of his last ten outings (7-8-15) and leads all league rookies with 19 points in 15 playoff games overall (8-11-19). This is the 11th season in the 15 year history of the franchise the Pirates have qualified for the postseason. The Pirates won their only Calder Cup title in 1994. The Penguins are 10-6 all-time when facing elimination. The teams played a scoreless first period for the fourth time in the series.
Pirates Playoff Hockey Powered by Time Warner Cable continues on Saturday, May 24th for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in Wilkes-Barre at 7:05 p.m. Fans can also follow the Pirates on U.S. Cellular Pirates Radio Network on The Bay 1400AM and 1490AM, on the internet courtesy of TEAMLINE or watch the game live on the internet courtesy of B2 Networks visiting www.portlandpirates.com.
Eastern Conference Finals
Game 7 Saturday, May 24th @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 7:05 pm
- Winner advances to the Calder Cup Finals.
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