HARTFORD, Conn. — Right wing Mark Mancari and defenseman Dennis Persson made cameo appearances with the Portland Pirates in Sunday’s 3-1 loss at Connecticut, but they did not take part in Monday’s optional team skate.
They were heading back out to Buffalo to rejoin the Sabres, who continued a first-round best-of-seven NHL playoff series tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers.
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The Sabres recalled Mancari and Persson on an emergency basis Monday. Mancari led the Pirates with four shots on goal while Persson was minus-1 in Sunday’s loss to the Whale.
“It’s flattering that you’re being pulled up, in the case that (the parent team) feels that you’re a quality guy there, in case there’s an injury of any kind,” Portland Coach Kevin Dineen said.
“The adjustment for (Mancari and Persson) coming back was pretty quick for them. Obviously, there’s disappointment that you’re coming in this direction but also the enthusiasm that they jumped in right in an intense series and played a big role in that.”
In 20 games this season with the Sabres, Mancari had one goal and seven assists and is a minus-1 with 12 penalty minutes. In 64 regular-season games with the Pirates, Persson had four goals and 13 assists and is a plus-5 with 18 penalty minutes.
THE OPTIONAL skate is just that – a player’s decision whether or not to practice on a day off.
“Guys are trying to decide whether they have maintenance days or other guys are deciding that maybe they didn’t play as much as they should have, so they’ve got to get a little extra work in,” Dineen said. “There’s a mix of both. They’re both unique circumstances. It’s a personal thing. That’s why we call it what it is, the optional. Guys have to make that decision for themselves.”
Thirteen skaters and two goalies hit the ice Monday.
“Some guys come to practice and some guys take the day off,” Pirates goalie David Leggio said.
“It’s just up to the player to decide what’s best for them.”
THE CONSENSUS is that today’s Game 4 is going to be pivotal for both the Pirates and the Whale. Portland can go up 3-1 and Connecticut can tie the series at 2-2 and make it into a best-of-three affair.
“If we win, we have one game to go in the series,” Leggio said. “If they win, they tie it up. It’s a huge game. Every team wants to be up 3-1.”
Added Dineen: “If you don’t take advantage and play well on the road, then you have the makings of a very long series.”
THE NEW YORK Rangers returned left wing Mats Zuccarello-Aasen to Connecticut on Monday. He played in the Rangers’ first playoff game against the Washington Capitals but was a healthy scratch in the last two games, replaced in the lineup by Sean Avery.
Staff Writer Rachel Lenzi can be reached at 791-6415 or at: rlenzi@pressherald.com
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