Pirates drop 5-2 decision to Bruins

Lewiston, Maine -  In their first sellout game of the season at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, the Portland Pirates faltered in the second period, dropping a 5-2 decision to the rival the Providence Bruins. Jordan Szwarz and Jordan Martinook provided the offense for the Pirates, but a 4 goal second from Providence proved too much for the Pirates.

The first period started out fast and furious, with both sides creating scoring opportunities in the first period.  After Pirates assistant captain Brandon McMillan dropped the gloves with Providence’s David Warsofsky late in the period, Portland struck. Jordan Szwarz tallied Portland's first goal of the night and his first of the season on the ensuing power play, with Brandon Gormley and Andy Miele picking up assists. Szwarz’s goal gave the Pirates a 1-0 advantage headed into the first intermission.

In the second period, Providence came out strong, pressing the attack during the early part of the period. The Bruins would tie the game at 1 on Seth Griffith’s first career goal 5:16 into the period.  Alexander Fallstrom gave Providence the lead just 3 minutes later on an unassisted tally, setting the stage for Ryan Spooner. The Bruins prospect scored his first of two goals 4 minutes after Fallstrom’s tally in the Key Bank Key Moment of the Game, giving the Bruins a 3-1 lead. The Pirates battled back, as Jordan Martinook scored his first goal of the season a minute later to bring the deficit back within one. Gormley again had the assist, with Daine Todd picking up the other assist as his first professional point. However, a Mark Louis penalty gave the Bruins a power play that Craig Cunningham converted, giving Providence the 2 goal advantage and a 4 spot for the second.

An odd twist in the third saw Mark Visentin replace Pirates starter Mike Lee for 1:06 due to an equipment malfunction, with Lee returning to finish the game. Despite a hard fought third from the Pirates, an empty net goal for Spooner would seal the 5-2 victory for the Bruins and had the Pirates their first regulation loss of the year.

Portland drops to 0-1-0-1 on the year while Providence improves to 2-1-0-1. Bruins starter Niklas Svedberg stopped 36 of the 28 shots he faced, while Mike Lee took his first loss of the year after allowing 4 goals on 27 shots.

The Pirates will next play Saturday when they host the revived Hartford Wolf Pack at the Colisée.  Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. for the 7th annual Pink in the Rink game. The Pirates will wear special Pink jerseys and will recognize breast cancer survivors, caretakers, and their families throughout the night.  Tickets are available by calling the Colisee Box Office at 783-2009 ext. 525 or online at thecolisee.com