2013–14 Portland Pirates season

2013–14 Portland Pirates
Division 5th Atlantic Division
Conference 15th Eastern Conference
2013–14 record 2–5–0–1 (5 pts)
Home record 0–4–0–1
Road record 2–1–0–0
Goals for 20
Goals against 27
Team information
General Manager Brad Treliving
Coach Ray Edwards
Assistant Coach Mike Minard
John Slaney
Captain Jordan Szwarz
Alternate captains Brandon Gormley
Brandon McMillan
Andy Miele
Arena Androscoggin Bank Colisée
Team leaders
Goals Andy Miele (5)
Assists Brandon Gormley (5)
Daine Todd (5)
Points Andy Miele (8)
Penalties in minutes Kyle Hagel (26)
Plus/minus (+) Mathieu Brodeur (+3)
(–) Lucas Lessio (–4)
Wins Mark Visentin (2)
Goals against average Louis Domingue (1.89)
< 2012–13 2014–15 >

The 2013–14 Portland Pirates season is the franchise's 21st season in the American Hockey League, which began on October 12, 2013. The season will be played at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston due to a dispute over the lease at their former arena, the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland.

Off-season

Departure from Portland arena

After 20 seasons at the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine, the Portland Pirates played the 2013-14 season at Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston. After weeks of legal negotiations, the Pirates and Civic Center were unable to come to terms on a new lease after the old one expired the previous season. The Pirates had already been scheduled to play their first 13 games at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée while the Civic Center underwent $34 million of renovations that will continue into January 2014.[1][2] The Pirates filed a lawsuit against the Civic Center in September, claiming they were entitled to play there based on a five-year agreement the two sides reached in April. But the center's board of trustees said they had only agreed upon board outlines of a lease, and negotiations about the lease details had been ongoing since they were agreement was drafted.[1][3] Those talks stalled over a dispute about concession revenues: the Pirates wanted a share of food and beverage sales for the first time since 1993, but the two sides could not agree on the amounts.[2][3]

The Pirates began looking into several possible locations for a new permanent home. On October 21, the city council of Saco, Maine, entered into an option with the team for 12.85 acres for a possible future arena, at a possible cost ranging between $20 million and $50 million.[4][5] But team officials stressed they were only exploring options and would prefer a location in Portland.[6]

Roster changes and preseason games

Portland head coach Ray Edwards, as well as assistant coaches John Slaney and Mike Minard, each received contract extensions from the Phoenix Coyotes during the off season.[7] The Pirates lost a handful of players in the off-season, including Chris Conner,[8] Nick Johnson,[9] and former team captain Alexandre Bolduc. Jordan Szwarz was selected as the new captain.[10] Off-season additions to the Portland roster included defensemen Mathieu Brisebois, Connor Murphy,[11] and Daine Todd,[12] and forwards Kyle Hagel,[13] and Tobias Rieder.[14] The Pirates re-signed Mark Louis to a two-year contract; he will switch from defenseman to the right wing position in the new season.[15] Rookie defenseman James Melindy began his first full season with Portland, having played in two games with last season, meaning four of the team's defensemen had never played a full AHL season.[16] The average age of the starting roster was 23.[17]

The Pirates won their first preseason game 4–0 against the University of New Brunswick hockey team on September 25. Goaltender Louis Domingue, who made 23 saves in the shutout, played only two games for Portland last season,[18] and was transferred to ECHL's Gwinnett Gladiators at the conclusion of the preseason[11] Portland finished the preseason with a pair of losses against the Manchester Monarchs on September 28 and 29. The Pirates lost the first game 5–2 after allowing the Monarchs to score four unanswered goals, although Brendan Shinnimin scored a goal and assist for Portland.[12] They lost the preseason closer in a 3–0 shutout.[19] Edwards said the preseason games indicated problems in both defense and special teams; the Pirates failed to score on any power plays, including some five-on-threes.[20] The Pirates saw last-minute roster changes just before the start of the regular season, as the Phoenix Pirates recalled veteran forwards Tim Kennedy and Brandon Yip, and assigned forwards Chris Brown and Lucas Lessio to Portland.[21]

2013–14 Preseason Game Log: 1–2–0–0 (Home: 1–1–0–0; Road: 0–1–0–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Record
1 September 25 Univ. New Brunswick 0–4 Portland Domingue 1–0–0–0
2 September 28 Manchester 5–2 Portland Berube 1–1–0–0
3 September 29 Portland 0–3 Manchester Jones 1–2–0–0

Regular season

October

Portland lost their first four games of the season,[22] starting with a 3–2 loss to Manchester October 9 in their first home game at Androscoggin Bank Colisée. Rieder scored both Pirates goals, but defensive mistakes helped allow the Monarchs to force overtime, and Portland lost after Szwarz scored their only shootout goal in five shots.[14] Rieder suffered a lower-body injury that was expected to keep him out for the next several weeks.[23][24] On October 11, the Pirates added new defenseman Chris Summers and forward Gilbert Brulé, the latter of whom had experience in more than 270 National Hockey League games.[25] Portland fell to the Portland Pirates 5–2 the next day, allowing four goals in just over 10 minutes. It marked the second consecutive game they scored first but surrendered the lead in the second period.[23] Melindy sustained a lower-body injury in the game that would keep him out of the line-up the next several weeks. On October 14, Yip returned to the Portland from the Phoenix Coyotes, who had to make room on the roster for the recent signing of Jeff Halpern.[24]

Worcester went on to lose their next two games,[22][26] including a 3–2 loss to the Worcester Sharks on October 20 in which Andy Miele a pair of goals.[22] Portland won their first game of the season on October 23 with a 4–3 victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack. Miele scored another two goals,[27] marking his fifth straight game with at least one point,[22][27] and tying him for eighth in the league in scoring. Edwards attributed the success in part to improved discipline, as the team allowed only two power plays, compared to two in the previous game.[27] Portland also won the next game on October 26 against the Albany Devils, a game that was briefly delayed after Albany's Seth Helgeson checked Szwarz into the boards and shattered the Plexiglas. Shards of glass struck at least two people in the crowd, but nobody was seriously injured.[28] The Phoenix Coyotes recalled multiple Pirates during the final week of October, including Brandon Gormley,[29] Kennedy,[30] Miele,[31] and Szwarz.[32] Portland's discipline problems resurfaced following those roster changes, as the team allowed seven power plays during a 5–1 loss against the St. John's IceCaps on October 30, including two five-on-threes.[33]

November

The Pirates lost their fifth straight home game on November 1, falling 4–2 to the IceCaps after allowing them to take a 3–0 lead in the first period. Shinnimin scored both of Portland's goals.[34]

Standings

Divisional standings

    		 Atlantic Division[35] GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA
    1 Manchester Monarchs (LA) 17 11 3 1 2 25 54 43
    2 Providence Bruins (BOS) 15 7 5 1 2 17 55 52
    3 St. John's IceCaps (WPG) 17 7 7 1 2 17 48 49
    4 Portland Pirates (PHX) 13 6 5 0 2 14 38 37
    5 Worcester Sharks (SJ) 13 5 7 1 0 11 29 41

    After games of November 20, 2013

    Conference standings

      		 Eastern Conference[36] Div GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA
      1 *y– Manchester Monarchs (LAK) AT 76 48 19 3 6 105 244 188
      2 *y– Springfield Falcons (CBJ) NE 76 47 23 1 5 100 247 212
      3 *y– Binghamton Senators (OTT) ET 76 44 24 3 5 96 276 232
      4 x– St. John's IceCaps (WPG) AT 76 46 23 2 5 99 258 207
      5 x– Albany Devils (NJD) NE 76 40 23 5 8 93 220 193
      6 x– Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT) ET 76 42 26 3 5 92 206 185
      7 x– Providence Bruins (BOS) AT 76 40 25 2 9 91 233 210
      8 x– Norfolk Admirals (ANA) ET 76 40 26 3 7 90 201 192
      9 e– Hershey Bears (WSH) ET 76 39 27 5 5 88 221 213
      10 e– Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR) NE 76 37 32 1 6 81 202 220
      11 e– Worcester Sharks (SJS) AT 76 36 34 4 2 78 189 226
      12 e– Syracuse Crunch (TBL) ET 76 31 32 4 9 75 198 232
      13 e– Adirondack Phantoms (PHI) NE 76 30 38 2 6 68 182 225
      14 e– Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI) NE 76 28 40 2 6 64 183 238
      15 e– Portland Pirates (PHX) AT 76 24 39 3 10 61 222 284

      * = Division leaders are seeded 1, 2, and 3 in Conference standings.
      The top eight teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs.
       y–  indicates team has clinched division and a playoff spot
       x–  indicates team has clinched a playoff spot
       e–  indicates team has been eliminated from playoff contention

      Schedule and results

      2013–14 Game Log – Regular season
      November: 0–1–0–0 (Home: 0–1–0–0 ; Road: 0–0–0–0)
      # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Gamesheet
      8 November 1 St. John's 4–2 Portland Visentin 2,127 2–4–0–1 5 Gamesheet
      9 November 8 Worcester Portland
      10 November 10 Portland Worcester
      11 November 15 Manchester Portland
      12 November 16 Springfield Portland
      13 November 17 Portland Providence
      14 November 22 Portland Norfolk
      15 November 23 Portland Norfolk
      16 November 27 Portland Hartford
      17 November 29 Worcester Portland
      18 November 30 Portland Springfield

      Legend:       Win (2 points)       Loss (0 points)       Overtime/shootout loss (1-point)

      Player statistics

      Skaters

      Note: GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes
      Updated as of November 4, 2013[37]

      Regular Season
      Player GP G A Pts +/- PIM
      Miele, AndyAndy Miele‡ 6 5 3 8 −1 6
      Szwarz, JordanJordan Szwarz‡ 6 3 2 5 −3 4
      Brown, ChrisChris Brown 8 1 4 5 2 6
      Gormley, BrandonBrandon Gormley 7 0 5 5 −2 4
      Todd, DaineDaine Todd 8 0 5 5 −4 0
      Brulé, GilbertGilbert Brulé 4 2 1 3 −2 2
      Hextall, BrettBrett Hextall 7 2 1 3 −3 4
      Martinook, JordanJordan Martinook 8 2 1 3 −3 2
      Shinnimin, BrendanBrendan Shinnimin 8 2 1 3 1 6
      Yip, BrandonBrandon Yip‡ 4 1 2 3 0 8
      Murphy, ConnorConnor Murphy* 8 0 3 3 0 4
      Rieder, TobiasTobias Rieder* 1 2 0 2 0 0
      McMillan, BrandonBrandon McMillan 6 0 2 2 −2 11
      Hagel, KyleKyle Hagel 7 0 2 2 1 26
      Lane, PhilPhil Lane 8 0 1 1 −1 11
      Lessio, LucasLucas Lessio* 8 0 1 1 −5 7
      Jones, RandyRandy Jones‡ 1 0 0 0 −2 0
      Kennedy, TimTim Kennedy‡ 1 0 0 0 −1 0
      Melindy, JamesJames Melindy* 2 0 0 0 −2 0
      Werek, EthanEthan Werek 3 0 0 0 −1 0
      Louis, MarkMark Louis 4 0 0 0 0 9
      Brisebois, MathieuMathieu Brisebois* 7 0 0 0 −3 8
      Dziurzynski, DarianDarian Dziurzynski 7 0 0 0 −4 5
      Summers, ChrisChris Summers 7 0 0 0 −2 10
      Brodeur, MathieuMathieu Brodeur 8 0 0 0 3 4

      †Denotes player spent time with another team before joining team. Stats reflect time with the team only.
      ‡Left the team mid-season
      *Rookie

      Goaltenders

      Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time on Ice; W = Wins; L = Losses; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; SV = Saves; SA = Shots Against; SV% = Save Percentage; SO = Shutouts; G = Goals; A = Assists; PIM = Penalty Minutes
      Updated as of November 4, 2013[38]

      Regular Season
      Player GP TOI W L GA GAA SV SA SV% SO G A PIM
      Domingue, LouisLouis Domingue 2 63:29 0 0 2 1.89 28 30 .933 0 0 0 2
      Visentin, MarkMark Visentin 7 299:14 2 4 16 3.21 154 170 .906 0 0 0 0
      Lee, MikeMike Lee 2 116:30 0 2 7 3.61 51 58 .879 0 0 0 0
      Totals 479:13 2 6 25 3.13 233 258 .903 0 0 0 2

      ‡Left the team mid-season
      *Rookie

      References

      1. 1 2 Pelletier, Justin (September 26, 2013). "Portland Pirates will play home schedule in Lewiston after failing to end dispute with Cumberland County Civic Center". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on September 26, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
      2. 1 2 Hall, Jessica (August 31, 2013). "Civic Center, Pirates in standoff over concessions". Morning Sentinel. Archived from the original on September 26, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
      3. 1 2 Murphy, Edward D. (September 11, 2013). "Civic Center: Pirates 'manufactured' lease crisis". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on September 26, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
      4. ↑ Wells, Tammy (October 23, 2013). "Pirates hockey team enters into talks to buy Saco property for new permanent home arena". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
      5. ↑ Wells, Tammy (October 23, 2013). "Saco Pirates?". Journal Tribune. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
      6. ↑ Betit, Paul. "Hockey group with link to Pirates looks at Saco for arena". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
      7. ↑ Betit, Paul (June 19, 2013). "Pirates' coaches all coming back". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
      8. ↑ Molinari, Dave (September 29, 2013). "Penguins' Ebbett and Conner on waivers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
      9. ↑ "The Signing of Iginla Highlights B's Transactions on 7/5". Boston Bruins. July 5, 2013. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
      10. ↑ "Pirates name Szwarz captain". Sun Journal. October 8, 2013. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
      11. 1 2 "Pirates roster finalized for opener". Portland Press Herald. October 5, 2013. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
      12. 1 2 Pelletier, Justin (September 29, 2013). "Pirates fall in preseason tilt, team unveils ticket packages for Lewiston season". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
      13. ↑ Ellis, Steven (August 20, 2013). "Kyle Hagel Signs With AHL’s Portland Pirates". Yardbarker. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
      14. 1 2 Betit, Paul (October 10, 2013). "Pirates fall in their new home". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
      15. ↑ Betit, Paul (September 14, 2013). "Pirates' Louis adapted to new position". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on September 24, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
      16. ↑ Pelletier, Justin (October 9, 2013). "Pirates open tonight". The Times Record. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
      17. ↑ Pelletier, Justin (October 2, 2013). "AHL: Pirates vets, newcomers ready to start season". Sun Journal. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
      18. ↑ Betit, Paul (September 26, 2013). "Pirates make an impression in exhibition opener". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
      19. ↑ "2-0, Now It Begins". Manchester Monarchs. September 29, 2013. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
      20. ↑ Betit, Paul (October 1, 2013). "Pirates have time to work on a few things". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
      21. ↑ Betit, Paul (October 9, 2013). "Coyotes recall veteran Pirates Kennedy and Yip". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
      22. 1 2 3 4 Scandura, Mike (October 20, 2013). "Pirates lose to Sharks, remain winless". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
      23. 1 2 Pelletier, Justin (October 12, 2013). "AHL: Bruins hold off Pirates". Sun Journal. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
      24. 1 2 Pelletier, Justin (October 16, 2013). "AHL: Pirates regroup with week off". Sun Journal. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
      25. ↑ Pelletier, Justin (October 11, 2013). "AHL: Pirates add Brulé, Summers; Team preps for Providence". Sun Journal. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
      26. ↑ "Wolf Pack Keep Winning; Beat Pirates, 3-2". Hartford Courant. October 19, 2013. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
      27. 1 2 3 Pelletier, Justin (October 23, 2013). "AHL: Pirates earn first victory". Sun Journal. Archived from the original on October 27, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
      28. ↑ Dougherty, Pete (October 27, 2013). "Albany's point streak snapped by Portland". Times Union. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
      29. ↑ "Gormley recalled, game-time decision for tonight". The Guardian. October 31, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
      30. ↑ Pequeno, Joe (October 25, 2013). "Coyotes recall Kennedy from Portland". KPHO-TV. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
      31. ↑ "Coyotes recall Andy Miele from Portland". The Charlotte Observer. October 27, 2013. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
      32. ↑ Pequeno, Joe (October 28, 2013). "Coyotes recall Szwarz from Portland". KPHO-TV. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
      33. ↑ Fournier, Nathan (October 31, 2013). "AHL: IceCaps sink Pirates". Sun Journal. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
      34. ↑ "IceCaps grab early lead, hold on to beat Pirates". TSN.ca. November 11, 2013. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
      35. ↑ "2013–14 Regular Season – Division". American Hockey League. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
      36. ↑ "2013–14 Regular Season – Conference". American Hockey League. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
      37. ↑ "Skaters – 2013–2014 Regular Season – Portland Pirates". American Hockey League. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
      38. ↑ "Goalies – 2013–14 Regular Season – Portland Pirates". American Hockey League. Retrieved November 4, 2013.

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