PORTLAND — It was a stand-out night for the Portland Pirates’ (36-23-5-1) special teams in their 6-0 shutout of the St. John’s IceCaps (30-29-7-2) Wednesday night at the Cross Insurance Arena. The Pirates recorded five of their six goals on special teams — four on the power play and one shorthanded.

Portland started out hot with three goals in the first period. The first came at 5:12 when Henrik Samuelsson netted a power play goal with help from Patrick McNeill and Lucas Lessio. Justin Hodgman also found the back of the net with a goal at 8:30, assisted by Jordan Martinook and Dylan Reese. The third goal of the period was another powerplay goal, scored by Lessio and assisted by McNeill and Brendan Shinnimin at 10:47. The Pirates were able to get more scoring opportunities early on in the second period. Tyler Gaudet scored while Portland was shorthanded with an assist from goalie Mike McKenna at the 2:30 mark.

Alex Bolduc scored a power play goal 10:21 in the third frame, assisted by McNeill and Hodgman. Portland’s fourth powerplay goal, and last of the night, came at 18:36 when Reese found the back of the net with help from Shinnimin and Hanley.

McKenna (25-14-4) had another stellar night in goal, racking up his seventh shutout, fifth assist and career-high 25th win this season. He was able to stop all 16 shots the IceCaps fired his way. Connor Hellebuyck (28-20-5) played backstop for the IceCaps, stopping 20-of- 26 Pirate shots.

The Pirates and IceCaps are back at it again Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Cross Insurance Arena.


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