“Pirates Periodical” is a weekly feature at The Sunshine Skate to keep you in touch with your favorite future Panthers.
This week’s update will be a rather short one as the Pirates had only one game this weekend, which was a 6–4 loss to the Providence Bruins. The Bruins got off to a quick start, scoring only 7 seconds into the first period off a breakaway by Frank Vatrano, setting the record for the fastest goal to be scored on the Pirates. Vatrano went on to have a big night, scoring three more goals, including a power play goal that put the Bruins up 2–0 by the end of the first. Following a lethargic opening frame, the Pirates woke up in the second and applied more pressure on the Bruins goaltender, Zane McIntyre, who faced 21 shots on goal in that period alone. Kyle Rau was the first to get on the board, followed up by a goal from defenseman Sena Acolatse. Rau’s third line (centered by Brett Olson with Wayne Simpson on the right wing) also got the start.
The teams entered the third tied at 3–3, following late goals from the Bruins’ Austin Czarnik and the
equalizer from Rob Schremp at the end of the second. Providence took a 5–3 lead shortly thereafter, scoring two goals within two minutes, including a PPG from Ben Youds and Vatrano’s third. Bringing the Pirates within one was Rob Flick halfway through the period but Vatrano sealed the deal for the Bruins on the power play with two minutes to go in the game, making it 6–4.
It’s hard to gauge exactly where the Pirates penalty kill is after one game, but with three of the Bruins’ six goals coming on the power play, it could definitely use some improvement. The Pirates were also unable to convert on two power play chances, so the assignment of Rocco Grimaldi will undoubtedly be a boost to the team’s offense, once he’s healthy.
To get everybody more familiar with players that weren’t on the roster last year, I’ll be giving a snapshot
of a couple players each week, starting with two of Sunday’s goal scorers: Rob Schremp and Sena Acolatse.
Rob Schremp was the first round pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2004 draft, 25th overall. He spent four seasons in the OHL before debuting for the Oilers in the 2006–2007 season, playing in only 7 games for the team over the course of three seasons before being claimed off waivers by the New York Islanders in 2009. He played in 99 games for the Islanders, until he was placed on waivers once again and claimed by the Atlanta Thrashers, playing 18 games in the team’s final season. In 2011, he made the jump across the pond, playing across Europe in the Swedish, Russian, Austrian, and Swiss leagues. He returned to the US this season to play for the Pirates, where he centers Rob Flick and Shane Harper on the teams top line. He scored 9 goals and picked up 27 assists with EV Zug in the Swiss National League
A in 2013–2014 and 6 goals and 14 assists with Skellefteå AIK in the Swedish league last season. Although he isn’t a high goal scorer, he’s a skilled, reliable veteran presence for the Pirates.
Sena Acolatse, who is one half of the Pirates 3rd D pairing with Jonathan Racine, is entering his fifth full season of professional hockey. In the 2010–2011 season, he became the first player from the Bay Area to sign a professional contract with the San Jose Sharks, spending four seasons with the Worcester Sharks, from 2010 to 2014. He spent last year with the Adirondack Flames, playing in 38 games, notching 6 goals and 13 assists. In the past four years, he’s averaged 20 points a season.
Up next for the Pirates is a double header this weekend against the Hershey Bears, starting Saturday evening for their home opener and again on Sunday for an afternoon game. For a play-by-play of each game in case you can’t watch, I suggest giving Jeff Mannix, the Pirates broadcaster, a follow on twitter if you aren’t already!
Natalija can be reached for contact on Twitter.
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