Sunday afternoon, the Portland Pirates took on the Hershey Bears in what was a back-to-back competition between the two American Hockey League organizations. In the first game of the double-header, the Pirates pulled out an exciting 3-2 win over the Bears while at the same time capturing their first win of the season. Initially, in the first game of the season, the Pirates suffered a loss to the Providence Bruins, but that wouldn’t stop them from going on to winning their next two games at home.
In the first period of the Pirates second home game, which had an attendance of 1,664, forward Rob Schremp netted his second goal of the season to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead over the Bears.
Schremp, Rau Shine in Portland Pirates Second Home Game
Kyle Rau opened up the second period by scoring the Pirates second goal of the game, giving the team a 2-0 lead. The Pirates didn’t stop there, as Schremp finished a beautiful tic-tac-toe goal giving the Pirates a 3-0 lead in the game. Shortly after the Pirates netted their third goal of the game, the Bears awoke from hibernation after Paul Carey scored his first goal of the season making it a two-goal game. Raul then forced the Bears back to the den after scoring his second goal of the game, giving the home-team a 4-1 lead.
Just five minutes in to the third period, the Bears scored their second goal of the game off of a beautiful spin-o-rama goal from Travis Boyd to Riley Barber who tucked the goal in to the wide-open net. Once again, that didn’t shut-up the Pirates, as John McFarland was hooked on a breakaway where he was rewarded a penalty shot. McFarland sped towards Bears’ goaltender Dan Ellis and ripped a laser-beam of a wrist-shot past Ellis, ending the game scoring on the first penalty shot for the organization in
I had the opportunity to speak to both Schremp and Rau after the game.
Rob Schremp
When Schremp was asked about the chemistry on the line consisting of Rob Flick, Rob Schremp and Shane Harper:
“I think we have a lot of good components on that line with Harpy’s speed and Flick’s body – he’s a powerful kid and it’s hard to move him around so when he gets in those corners he stops defenseman from getting it out and Harps and I kind of get to make plays around. And that screen tonight on the power play was perfect. I mean, the guy couldn’t move him around the net so it gives me a chance to score the goal. The components we have there are what makes it good. We have power, speed, and I can make plays.
When asked about what intrigued Schremp on signing with Florida:
“When I got drafted in to the NHL, I got drafted by a defensive team. That wasn’t my game then, and I’m trying to work on my game that way now but it’s more that I need to be able to have freedom. Obviously I need to be responsible defensively but I need that freedom to make plays too.”
“I’m 29, not 18 years old so I understand what it means – greenlight but play defensively too. That comes with being a team guy – you know. If you’re going to lose the puck you better get it back.”
Kyle Rau
When asked about what he took away from the two wins over the Hershey Bears:
“Last night was nice to get our first win under the belt – and to come back tonight and play another good game. We’ve got some good players on our team and when we play together like we did tonight, we’re tough to beat so it’s just a little confidence, that’s all you need. Starting right off the gate.”
The Portland Pirates have the next three days off, as their next game is home against the Albany Devils on October 23rd.
Main Photo via Jill Brady/Portland Press Herald
