PORTLAND ”“ His heart still heavy after the recent loss of his older brother, Portland Pirates center Brian Roloff was able nonetheless to lift his and his teammates spirits by scoring the game winner in Portland’s 5-2 triumph over the Worcester Sharks, before 3,639 at the Civic Center.
Roloff’s goal, his second of the season, came at 2:55 of the final period, snapped a 2-2 tie and set off a three goal finishing kick by the Buccos.
“It’s really good to be back,” said Roloff, who had been away from the club since Sunday, when his older brother Eric lost his battle with cancer. “The attitude they have around this locker room is certainly supportive. I couldn’t have asked any more of the guys, or the coaching staff.”
Said Portland coach Kevin Dineen, “It all takes time, in due time. For one, he’s a real quality kid. I was glad that he got to go home and spend (time) with family. I think for him to get the game winning goal was certainly appropriate.”
Roloff’s decisive marker came as he stood outside the crease and rerouted in Maxime Legault’s feed from the right boards.
“Max went into the corner and just manhandled (his) guy,” said Roloff, “and came out with the puck. He put it right on my stick and I honestly was just trying to throw it on net. Sure enough, it went in.”
Twice, the Pirates battled back from one goal deficits, the second time coming at 15:34 of the second stanza, when Dennis McCauley scored to make it 2-2.
Worcester scored on two of its first four shots of the game.
T.J. Trevelyan gave Worcester its first lead at 4:38, but that was answered by Derek Whitmore’s 16th goal of the season.
Standing in the slot surrounded by four Sharks, still managed to chip the puck past Worcester goalie Carter Hutton.
That respite lasted just 28 seconds, however, as Worcester’s Frazer McLaren roofed a 20 footer to make it 2-1.
That score held until deep in the second period, when McCauley, a former Shark, daggered his old mates when he tipped in Mark Mancari’s pass while standing at the edge of the goal crease.
Roloff’s goal made it 3-2, but the lead was jeopardized, when four minutes later, Pirates defenseman Tim Conboy leveled Worcester center Cory Quirk, and was assessed a five minute interference major plus a game misconduct.
Worcester got off six shots during the extended power play, but goalie David Leggio turned each one away.
“I thought all the guys did a tremendous job,” said Mancari, “on that penalty kill.”
Igor Gongalsky and Mancari added insurance goals late in the period to salt away the victory.
EMPTY NETTERS: After being spotted at forward the last two weeks, T.J. Brennan was back in his familiar defense spot. ”¦ The Pirates will host the Providence Bruins tonight (7 p.m.) before facing the Sharks once again ”“ for the fourth time in six games ”“ in Worcester on Sunday. ”¦ After killing off Conboy’s major penalty, the Pirates didn’t allow a shot on goal to Worcester the rest of the way, a span of about 10 minutes.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
