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

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PHANTOMS EDGE PIRATES IN CLOSE GAME

GAME 14 RECAP





Game Summary:

The Pirates tried to make it 3 in a row when they took on the hard hitting Adirondack Phantoms. Although the game started off right, with the Pirates scoring the first goal it quickly slipped away as the Phantoms would go on to score 3 unanswered goals. The Pirates would cut the lead to 1 before letting in another goal.

Sundin wasn't playing up to his usual standards as he gave out many large rebounds which resulted in easy Phantom goals. The defense was also uncharacteristically slow, often being beaten to the puck in their own zone by the faster Adirondack forwards. Late in the game Coach MacNeil shifted the gritty trio of Blaine, G. Morrison, and Thomas back down to the 3rd line and that seemed to generate some offense as soon after it lead to a goal.

It was too little to late as time would expire and the Pirates would lose a close one.

Scoring Summary:

1st
Nuberg from Maclean @ 3:25 (1-0 Portland)
2nd
Nuberg @ 1:32 (Tied 2-2)
3rd
G. Morrison from Blaine and Pattenden @ 15:00 (4-3 Adirondack)

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BABY PENS EDGE OUT PIRATES

GAME 15 RECAP





GAME SUMMARY

The Pirates were host to the Wilkes-Barrie Scranton Penguins in tonight's game. The Penguins, struggling going 2-8-0 in their last 10 games. Portland looked to come out and extend their losing streak by scoring an early powerplay goal. But a penalty filled 2nd and 3rd period allowed the Pens to creep back into the game and eventually score the winner. The Baby Pens went 3/9 on the night as the Pirates penalty kill was uncharacteristically poor tonight.

Nuberg & Maclean continued to show great chemistry on ice together by combining for a goal in tonight's game.

Scoring Summary:

1st
Holopainen PPG (6) from Cooper and Blaine @ 6:11
Nuberg (6) from Klingberg and Maclean @ 10:57
2nd
Nuberg (7) from Maclean @ 7:45
Aldridge (1) from Weber and Thomas @ 11:50

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PIRATES REBOUND AGAINST THE STRUGGLING BABY BRUINS

GAME 16 RECAP





GAME SUMMARY

The Pirates rebounded in a win against the Providence Bruins. Sundin played exceptionally well in net stopping 25 shots. He got a lot of help from his defense in front of him, who were able to clear his rebounds and made smart choices moving the puck out of the zone, therefore reducing turnovers.

Blaine, tallied on the powerplay to give the Pirates the early lead. Then Maclean extended his point streak by stripping the defenseman of the puck and putting the puck past Khudobin. The Bruins got some bad luck when Hamill got in the way of an Aldridge slapshot. The puck struck his knee and he was in obvious pain. He did not return to the game and is now expected to miss 3-4 weeks.

Despite the score, Nuberg failed to register a point, so his point streak ends at 5 games.


Scoring Summary:

1st
Blaine PPG (4) from Holopainen and Cooper @ 11:27
2nd
Maclean (6) @ 10:21
3rd
Sauve (8)
C. Morrison (4) from Cooper and Yonkman @ 17:35
Maclean EN (6) @ 19:47

[thedudedominick]

Do I need to go to the media to complain about my ice time? Went from line one to line four.

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Quote: Originally Posted by thedudedominick

Do I need to go to the media to complain about my ice time? Went from line one to line four.

Not at all, the Coach is still trying to find Chemistry and the best line combinations.

[SENS_AK27]

COOPER'S HATTRICK POWERS PIRATES TO BIG WIN OVER CONNECTICUT

GAME 17 RECAP





GAME SUMMARY


The Pirates keep winning, at they traveled to Connecticut to take on the Whale. Well it turned out to be the Ryan Cooper show as the impressive youngster potted 3 against the Whale. Cooper got his first very early when he took a pass from C. Morrison and sniped a wrister from the top of the circle. He got his 2nd midway through the 2nd when he stripped the defender of the puck, walked in on Johnson and did the forehand to backhand deke for his second. He scored his 3rd and first career AHL hattrick when on the powerplay he intercepted an errant pass and threw the puck on net which fooled Johnson.

Sundin wasn't terribly busy in net but stopped 27 shots on his way to another victory. Maclean is becoming a familiar name on the score sheet as he pushes his point streak to 7 consecutive games.

The Whale also suffered a blow when Blaine crushed S. Bickel behind the boards with a huge hit. Bickel was shaken up and had to leave the game. He is now expected to miss the next 1-2 weeks.

Scoring Summary:
1st
Cooper (5) from C. Morrison @ 0:51
Maclean (8) from Aldridge and Donovan @ 8:10
2nd
Tessier (1)
Klingberg (1) from Janssen and Pouliot @ 6:58
Tessier (2)
Cooper (6) @ 8:11
3rd
Cooper PPG (7) from Pattenden @ 16:20

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LEAGUE NEWS


POST TRADE ANALYSIS

Interim GM Brad Treliving made some more adjustments to the roster by making some minor league moves. He shipped off seldom used defenseman Goncharov to Vancouver for prospect N. Jensen. The Canucks were looking for more a mobile defenseman that has an offensive upside and Treliving was looking for a young defensive forward.

The trade with St. Louis was more of a courtesy trade after young forward Patrick Cosgrove grew more and more outspoken about his ice time with the team. Not wanting a distraction in the locker room Coach MacNeil made the request to Treliving and soon a deal was struck. On Peoria Cosgrove will see more minutes on the 2nd or 3rd line as they are short on Right Wingers in the minors. The Coyotes also give up a good offensive prospect in L. Lessio, although he still unsigned. In return they get a big bodied two way forward, someone that is a little older and more of an offensive upside. Grachev is expected to join the team as they prepare for their next game against Worchester.

[SENS_AK27]

BABY SHARKS STEAL WIN IN THE SHOOTOUT

GAME 18 RECAP





BOX SCORE:
1st
Gogol (1)
Nuberg (8) from Maclean @ 11:17
3rd
Ferriero (5)
Bellini (1) from Pouliot @ 11:45

Shootout
Maclean - Save
C. Morrison - Post
Cooper - Save
Donovan - Miss
Holopainen - Save
Schlemko - Goal
Pattenden - Miss

Ferriero - Save
Wingels - Miss
McCarthy - Save
Desjardins - Miss
Murray - Save
Gogol - Goal
Guite - Goal