Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

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PIRATES HALT SKID WITH BIG WIN OVER PROVIDENCE

GAME 6 RECAP





Coaches Take

Coach, what did you do differently tonight to get the Win?

I think we were more hungry, you know we lost 2 and didn't want to make a habit of it. We had a good practice the other day and everyone showed up today committed to getting a win.

What was your reaction to seeing your star goaltender drop the gloves with a known agitator?

*Chuckles* Let me tell you something, when it happened I was more worried for Hamill's safety then Sundin's. He had what, a good 4 or 5 inches on him. Hamill is lucky the refs came in when they did because I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of one of Mikael's bombs.

Your defense played a lot better tonight, would you say they are finally gelling as a unit?

Certainly, most of these guys came in here this season with very little chemistry together. We've been working at it and making sure they communicate and after awhile it just becomes 2nd nature. I'm really impressed with how they are maturing out.

What about Pattenden? A healthy scratch four straight games now?

You see there you go, ruining a perfectly good interview with a ridiculous question. Are you some sort of Pattenden fan boy or something? I'll say it now so I don't have to ever repeat myself, Steve will earn his ice time when he can show to the coaching staff that he is willing to step-up and work on his defensive game and that is all I'm going to say on the matter.

Thank you for your time Coach MacNeil.

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TEAM LEADERS AFTER 6 GAMES

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SUNDIN SHUTOUT BACKSTOPS PIRATES TO VICTORY

GAME 7 RECAP





GAME SUMMARY

In the first of back to back games in St. John's the high flying Pirates came out and scored a very big powerplay goal early in the game. The Icecaps couldn't handle the Pirates forecheck after the first goal and that led to two undisciplined penalties. Portland couldn't capitalize on a 5 on 3 however and the game would continue.

The much improved Pirates defense were clearing pucks and making smart outlet plays to support Sundin. The game turned nasty when the frustrated Icecaps took to running Sundin. In one play Chiarot ran full speed, and didn't brake and rammed into Sundin. Sundin went flying, hitting the net and his helmet came off because of the contact. Chiarot quickly had to defend his actions because Norton immediately dropped the gloves and a brawl began. That wasn't the end of the hostilities as other brawls would break out throughout the game, with 5 fights in total throughout the game.

The Pirates would come out the victors however, earning Sundin his first shutout of the season. Get set to play the Caps in 2 days and we'll have to see if the hostilities will remain between these two clubs.

FIGHT RECAP
Norton vs. Chiarot (Win)
Rundblad vs. Maxwell (Win)
Janssen vs. Gregoire (Draw)
Norton vs. Forney (Win)
Schlemko vs. Machacek (Win)

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POWERPLAY GOES TO WORK AS PORTLAND CRUISES TO VICTORY

GAME 8 RECAP





Game Summary

It was all Portland tonight as they bury the Icecaps by a score of 5 to 2. Coach MacNeil announced he will be starting Pogge despite Sundin coming off a 2-0 shutout. He also announced that he was changing up the lines to look for more chemistry.

It seemed to work perfectly as the teams two Finns connected on 2 of the teams 5 goals. The powerplay was also working as G. Morrison would bury his 4th marker of the season and Cooper would finally get that monkey off his back with a beautiful backhand shot. With 3 of the 5 goals scored on the One-Timer the Icecaps couldn't manage much of a response.

A scary incident happened when D. Norton would level M. Flood along the boards with a devastating hit. Flood would remain motionless on the ice for several moments before being helped off the ice by trainers. There was no call on the play, which was deemed a legal hit.

The win pushes the streak to 3 games and finally sees the club push over the .500 mark for the first time this season. The team will now travel back to Portland where they will get set to face Chazz Michaels, and the Manchester Monarchs.

LINES:

Forwards

MACLEAN - HOLOPAINEN - AUVINEN
C.MORRISON - NUBERG - COOPER
BLAINE - THOMAS - G.MORRISON
VOLPE - BELLINI - MILLER

Defense

RUNDBLAD - SCHLEMKO
WEBER - NORTON
PATTENDEN - JANSSEN

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LEAGUE NEWS

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PIRATES CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE AGAINST MICHAELS

GAME 9 RECAP





Game Summary:

Familiar rivals Portland and Manchester squared off in the first game of a Home & Home series. The Pirates were hoping for a different result from the teams previous 2 meetings where Chazz Michaels was almost impenetrable.

An early Monarch goal by Kolomatis put the Pirates behind early, not exactly where they wanted to be. Despite throwing 12 shots on net they still couldn't beat Michaels. Thomas tied the game in the 2nd with a great effort, hustling to a rebound and batting it in past the sprawling Michaels. The Pirates continued to pour on the offensive pressure but an odd man rush in the 3rd lead to a second Monarchs goal. Legein would put the game away with less then 3 minutes to play with a laser from the top of the circle.

As the final buzzer sounded, Coach MacNeil could only be left scratching his head as his team is yet to beat the Monarchs this season. With 3 more meetings during the regular season they will have to work to even the regular season series or risk giving up valuable points.

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LEAGUE NEWS

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Also forgot to add:

D. Rundblad was called up from Portland (AHL) to replace D. Morris. J. Aldridge was activated to replace Rundblad.