No "Missed Opportunity" Here

"Pop Tom, I NEVER miss an opportunity to pose for your silly pictures."

A Missed Oppportunity in the Making

"... if only I could've head-manned the puck..."

Missed Opportunity

The Pearl River Pirates dropped the second game of their weekend road trip into Westchester to the Bronxville Black Hawks (5-1) at the Westchester Skating Academy in Elmsford NY. The Pirates were coming off a 2-1 victory over the Rye Rangers on Saturday. Bad luck plagued the Pirates against the league leading squad from Bronxville. A first period score by CJ Greco was negated when the referee determined that the net had come free of its moorings before the puck crossed the line. Shortly thereafter the Hawks scored on an odd man rush. A tightly contested second period saw the squads leave the ice with the Pirates still down one to nothing. Netminder Joe Livornese thwarted drives by Griffin Welch, Ryan McLinsky and Dillon Krok to keep the Pirates at bay. Our Bucs kept knocking on the door but to no avail as Livornese was as good with his feet in scrambles as he proved to be with his gloved hand. Early in the third period Krok was dumped and shaken up behind the offensive net by defender Sohr. The injury delay seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the Pirates, who until that time, had played the Hawks on an even footing. When play resumed the Black Hawks sored three goals within four minutes to put the game away. Luke Myers' end to end rush resulted in a 15 foot wrister that eluded the goalie with barely two minutes left to play. It ended the shutout and occurred with Sammy Coughlin pulled from the Pirate net, but was answered quickly by a Hawk empty netter to complete the scoring. The hooting fan absent these past three weeks was heard to comment to the startled ref leaving the ice, "You missed a game too, I see. These Pirates deserved a better fate, given their effort on the ice," mumbled the bearded old timer to no one in particular.

Pirates are our Champions

"This victory was sweet as candy!"

Brodeur Ponders Future

"Will I have enough left in me to face these Pirates ten years from now?

Pirates Congratulate Krok's ROCK

Pirate Power Prevails

"Well Pop Tom now you've got something to smile about on your upcoming trip to Florida," boomed Dillon Krok through a broad smile. The Pearl River Pirates had just completed a stunning 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Colonials to capture the championship of the Hackensack Ice House Tournament. Only three hours earlier the Pirates had dropped a 5-2 decision to those same Colonials to end their preliminary rounds with 2 wins - 1 loss record. Capturing second place over the Hudson Valley Polar bears based on goal differential in the tournament enabled Coach Kern's crew to have another crack at the squad from Morristown N.J. who swept through their opposition, 3 wins - o losses. The Pirates may have caught a break in the final game when the Colonials elected to go with Klehm in the nets rather than Sabella who looked sharp in their victory over the Pirates earlier in the day. Twelve seconds into the game CJ Greco rifled a 25 foot blast behind a startled Klehm to lead the charge. Within the next minute Dylan McCavitt added a second goal to bolster the lead to 2-0. The gritty Colonials were not to be outdone and scored two of their own before the period had entered its fifth minute. Dillon Krok answered in turn later in the period to reestablish a Pirate lead of 3-2 with a 20 foot wrister from the mid-slot area. An equally hard fought second period ended with the score tied at 3-3. Each team had received several 5 on 4 and 5 on 3 advantages as the referees called this game exceptionally close. Shortly after staving off a 5-3 disadvantage, and while on their own man advantage, 'Krok Rocked' again, netting his second power play goal of the day, blasting a shot high, and glove side through the net minder. As Nana Lucy offered her grandson Dillon a roll of Life Savers in the reception area the hooting fan reminded one and all who could here him, "Dillon, as a kid my favorite candy wasn't Life Savers but their competitor - 'Am I the team's LUCKY CHARMs or what?!"

Pirates On the Attack

Bucs Bounce Back

"We had our turkey yesterday, there was no need for another today," crowed Dillon Krok to his Nana Lucy as the Pearl River Pirates left the ice upon completion of a well earned 3-2 victory over the Montclair Blues in their opening game at the Hackensack Ice House Tournament. Our Squirts found a way to score that first goal, albeit it came in the final minute of the second period to gain the upper hand in this close contest. Mike Fodi in the Blues net was exceptional in holding the swarming bevy of attacking Pirates off the scoreboard until Kyle Javier gathered a loose puck at the top of the slot at the 11 minute mark and drilled a 25 footer past the beleaguered net minder's stick side. A scant eleven seconds later Kyle Welch converted a pass from Dylan McCavitt behind the net to widen the margin to 2-0 as the second period ended. The Pirates yielded a goal early in the third period breathing life back into the Blues who pressed the attack. However, Ronan James responded with a nifty move beating the goalie with a wrister from 12 feet out. We needed it as the Blues answered back with three and one-half minutes to go to make it 3-2. Superior Pirate skating and jump to the puck kept Montclair at bay preventing the Blues from getting on an extra skater as time expired.

Pirates Lost at Sea?

The Pearl River Pirates made a two game weekend road trip to their own private Bermuda Triangle where many ships have been lost. Our Squirts travelled to northern Westchester to the Harvey School in Katonah to meet league rival, the Bedford Bears on Saturday afternoon. The Pirates were out hustled to too many loose pucks, resulting in their 7-3 mauling by the Bears. Little offense was generated as Coach Kern tried unsuccessfully to shuffle lines and rotate his more mobile defenders into the attacking zone. The Pirate effort was better on Sunday when they travelled to Orange County to meet the Newburgh Ice Polar Bears. The Pirates were more competitive in their 4-2 loss. Our Band of Buccaneers were very disappointed in their performance, with some talking mutiny, or even worse, abandoning the ship. Fear not readers, our galley is not sinking - we are just off course. Here is the 'hooter's prescription' for righting our heading: The Pirates must come out each period with jump in their skating, capitalize on turnovers, and seize the lead. Scoring that first goal is the tonic these lads need!

Just Wasn't Our Day

Too Many Turnovers.... Too Few Goals

Pirate Boat Boarded

The Pearl River Pirates took the ice at Sport-O-Rama after a two week absence from competitive play to face league rival, the Rye Rangers. Our Squirts never appeared to get fully untracked against the Rangers who were more successful than most in curtailing the free skating ability of our wingers and mobile defensemen. After a scoreless first period CJ Greco opened (and unfortunately closed) the scoring for the Pirates with a deft deke on the Rye net minder to give the Pirates the lead mid-way in the second period. Greco capitalized on one of many neutral zone turn overs committed by both squads to display his speed and decision making with the puck. The hooting, rabid Pirate fan and this grandma were crest fallen as the period closed when Rye defender Hynson lugged the puck from his defensive zone with 8 seconds left on the clock to put his deke behind Sammy Coughlin. Damn, the dreaded last minute, no make that LAST SECOND backbreaker. More heart break was to come. Three minutes into the final stanza, with the Pirates pressing in the offensive zone, Pirate aggressivity came back to bite them. A skater was sent to the sin bin for slashing at the goalie in a controversial quick whistle by the referee. Shortly thereafter Rye converted the power play to make it 2-1. Less than two minutes later the deficit went to 3-1. With time winding down the Pirates became rattled trying to generate offense as their defenders joined the attack. The task became too much for our troupe of troopers when two Squirts took concurrent minors. The hooter opined to fellow Pirate PHANATICS as they left the rink, "No big deal, it was not in the cards...and I'm bringing a new deck to next weekends games!"

Pirates Forcing a Turnover

The Capitals had many scoring chances but it was the Pirates who Capitalized on turnovers.

"When opportunity knocks...."

"Our team opens the door," said a smiling Dillon Krok to Nana Lucy as the Pearl River Pirates left the Palisades Ice Rink with an impressive 3-2 victory over the Clarkstown Capitals. Our fiery band of 14 Squirts brought their "A" game to this contest. The Pirates parlayed an aggressive fore check, timely back checking, and extraordinary goal tending from Sammy Coughlin into a well earned and particularly satisfying defeat of a perennial Rockland County powerhouse. An opportunistic Griffin Welsh opened the scoring midway through the first period slamming a rebound off a Ronan James blast that net minder Chin made the initial kick save on. Equally impressive was the defensive hustle exhibited by Ryan McLinskey in thwarting a breakaway opportunity late in the period that kept the score 1-0 at the first intermission. CJ Grecco leading the "Kid Line" of first year Squirt players of Dolan Ocasal and Luke Myers sparkled in the corners in the second period forcing a turnover behind the goal line, then dishing the perfect pass to Luke Myers lurking in the slot. Myers wristed the biscuit into Chin's short side in a nanosecond, 2-0 Pirates. To their credit the Capitals responded with their first goal on the next shift spoiling Sammy's near perfect day. When the teams returned to the ice for the third period with the Pirates holding a scant 2-1 lead the game could have gone either way. The Caps were by no means dominated in this game and had more scoring chances than the Pirates. Coughlin in goal, McLinskey, Quinn and McCormack on "D" were just a tad better. Kyle Javier's rocket from the right circle after a Capital turnover gave us that needed insurance goal 6 minutes into the third period and turned out to be the game winning goal, as the Capitals scored off a scramble in front of the net 20 seconds later. The final four and one-half minutes were pressured packed. The Caps poured on the offense using six attackers. The final frantic 50 seconds was played entirely in the Pirates end of the ice. One hooting Pirates fan was heard telling the disappointed Capital backers, "You know these guys are not the Pittsburgh Pirates. Even though our boys 'throw a little CHIN MUSIC now and again."

Lets Score Again Boys

PAYBACK IS A. . .

"Cinch" so said Nana Lucy to a smiling Dillon Krok as he left the ice at Sport-O-Rama where the Pearl River Pirates upset the favored Long Island Edge 6 - 3 in a donnybrook. Just three games ago the Pirates were sliced and diced by the Edge in a 10-0 rout in Port Washington. But not this time. The Pirates were already down by a goal 2 minutes into the first period when minutes later Luke Myers put the Pirates on the board leveling the game, one all. Our boys had many shots on goal and strong goal tending. With 7 minutes left to play in the period Ronan James scored putting the Pirates ahead. Late in the period Dillon Krok scored giving us a two goal lead. The Edge scored with only 8 seconds left in the first period to make the score 3-2. The Pirates hustled on offense and defense in period two and increased their lead. With 1:46 minutes left Griffin Welch scored to give our boys a 2 goal lead. The Edge countered with another late goal and the second period ended with the Pirates up 4-3. The final period was even more exciting. The Edge didn't like being down to a team they had handled easily recently and it showed with poor sportsmanship. The Pirates over came the chippy play and were rewarded when Liam McCormack scored in the 3rd period. Sam Coughlin was superb in the Pirates net denying the Edge many scoring chances. Indeed, the Edge played on the ''edge" of legality on the ice. They did everything possible to stop the Pirates - to no avail. Luke Myers scored a late goal to close out the scoring. The Pirates paid back the Edge with their 6-3 victory. Great game boys! See you next week.

LETS TAKE CONTROL

CLOSE GAME BOYS

In their second game of this hockey weekend the Pirates went up against the Mariners in another league game. The electrical problem from yesterday was repaired so the scoreboard was up and running. Our Pirates game out ready to play. They had strong shifts and good goal scoring opportunities but the first period ended 0-0. Second period was played with determination. Many shots on goal were denied until C. J. Grecco put us on the board with only 2:34 seconds left to play. Sam Coughlin looked sharp in nets however the Mariners were able to score in the last minute of this period to even the score 1-1. The final period was played with some good passes, puck control, and speed. C.J. Greco scored his second goal with 8 minutes left giving us a 2-1 lead. The Pirates allowed a goal shortly after and before you knew it the Mariners scored another goal making the score 4-2 Mariners. The Pirates wouldn't give up. Nick Taskalos scored with only 2:22 minutes left to play. They were back in the game, but were unable to score again, ending the game, Pirates 3, Mariners 4.

LETS GO BOYS

Lights, Pirates, Bears, Action

Today, Saturday, 10/13, on their home ice, the Pearl River Pirates played their first league game against the Bear Mountain Bears. The arena was having electrical problems, so no score board, time clock and the lights were running on a generator. Soon after the puck was dropped to start the first period, Ronan James scored. Sam Coughlin had denied the Bears a goal. Then Ronan James scored his second goal, ending the first period 2-0. Second period, both teams visited the penalty box, Sam Coughlin again denied their opponents a goal, but the Bears still managed to score, ending the second period 2-2. Third period the boys were playing the best they could this game, however, the Bears scored and now had the lead. Would our boys loose this game? Well, just minutes before the end of the game, Ryan McLinskey scored, making it a tie game. The Pearl River Pirates were able to hold the Bears ending the game a tie, 3-3.

The Pearl River Pirates Roar was as Loud as the Bears

On this date, the Pearl River Pirates traveled to the Bridgewater Ice Arena in New Jersey, to go up against the Bridgewater Bears. The Bears had 3 lines this game while our boys totaled only nine players. As the Pearl River Pirates came out on the ice, they were ready to play and the numbers weren't going to get them down. Fast skating, excellent passes, good puck control, using the boards, many shots on goal, good goal tending are only a few descriptions of how terrific the team played. Our boys never gave up. The first period ended, Bears 1 and the Pearl River Pirates 0. Second period, our boys were even better, they just kept on going, never letting up and never giving up. They held the Bears to only a one goal lead at the end of the second period. If our boys were getting tired, it never showed. Period three, the team was always ready, alert and played as a team.Then with only 2.5 minutes left, #7 Ronan James scored, making it a tie game. Our Pearl River Pirates held the Bears to end the game 1-1. Boys, I hope you are proud of yourself. Know that the coaches, parents, fans and of course grandparents were very proud of you.

PEARL RIVER PIRATES CAUSED AN AVALANCHE

Saturday morning, October 6th, on their home ice, the Pearl River Pirates played the Avalanche. A closely matched first period. Each team played with much talent, heart and determination. Then with 4:31 remaining in this period Dillon Krok riffled the puck sending it right into the net, ending the first period with a 1-0 lead. During the second period our boys came out and played with good offense, defense and goal tending. Great shifts were played all around giving up only one goal to even the score 1-1 at the end of the second period. As the third period began, our Pearl River Pirates kicked it up another notch. Griffin Welch, put the puck right in the net, making it a 2-1 game. Sammy Coughlin had denied the Avalanche of some goals. Ryan McLinskey had an end to end rush. Now our boys leading 3-1, with only minutes left in the game. Then right before the buzzer was about to sound indicating the end of game, Griffin Welch had an empty net goal. The game ended Pearl River Pirates 4 and the Avalanche 1. Great game boys, coaches and fans.

"Was the Ice Tilted Too?"

This Edge was Too Sharp!

The Pearl River Pirates made the trek to Port Washington, NY. to play the Long Island Edge this Sunday morning. The Edge dominated play from start to finish and humbled our squad 10- 0. Sammy Coughlin was under siege from the first drop of the puck in the opening period. The Edge got on the board early and often as the Pirates had difficulty clearing their own end. Griffin Welch generated the only scoring opportunity as the Pirates left the ice trailing two - nothing. The onslaught continued in period two with the Edge winning battles in the corners and controlling the neutral and offensive zones completely. With the deficit at six to start the third period our mighty mites showed spunk in trying to mount an offensive attack. James, Myers, and Javier pressed the attack unsuccessfully but were countered by the Edge who added four more goals to close out the scoring.

Coach Kern Inspires the Squad

Home Cooking?

The Pearl River Pirates opened their home season at Sport O-Rama before a crowd of 63 friends and family members against the Ramapo Saints. A closely contested first period ended in a scoreless tie. During this period, Griffin Welch was denied on a penalty shot. He would not be denied later in the game. The Pirates held their own during the first half of the second period but were undone by three rapid late Saint goals. Faced with a three - zero deficit to overcome, our Pirates gave up an early third period goal to make their task that much more difficult. Enter Griffin Welch who scored twice to make our 6-2 loss respectable. Kudos to Sammy Coughlin for his perseverance in the nets, Coach Kern for his inspiring words in a desparate situation, and to the Pearl River Pirates who never gave up!

The Blue Wave in action.

Tricks Are A Treat!

Fans of the Pearl River Pirates Squirt A team were treated to three (3) hat tricks in today's contest against the New York Cyclones at the Sky Rink at Chelsea Pier. The lads from Rockland were not in awe of the beautiful facility that juts into the Hudson River at 23rd St in Manhattan. They scored the opening goal in the first minute of play before most of the crowd of 89 were comfortably seated. Our scrappy group of 12 players may have been out manned on the ice but were never out played. The Pirates erased an early 2-1 deficit with a flurry of late first period goals to end the stanza with a comfortable 5-2 lead. Dolan Ocasal and Dillon Krok each netted two as a blue wave seemed to engulf the Cyclone net minder the last 4 minutes of the period. A brace of goals by Kyle Javier sandwiched between Krok's third goal of the game futher established the dominance of the Pirates (8-4 lead) entering the third period. Ocasal and Javier completed their hat tricks and closed out the scoring in what amounted to a solid 10-5 victory. With their record now even at 1 and 1 against two non-league opponents, the Pirates play their home opener next Saturday at Sport-O-Rama.

"Let's Attack the Forecheck"

The 'band of brothers' breaking out of the zone.

A Tough Loss

Pirates tried valiantly in a losing effort.

Season Opener.

The Pearl River Pirates opened their '07-08 season this date with a non-league game against the New Jersey Devils at the South Mountain Arena in West Orange NJ. A group of eight returning Squirt players were joined by six Mite skaters who joined the 'big club.' Coach Frank Kern has molded his squad into a 'band of brothers,' who by all indications from their play today, will be a formidible team in the Hudson Valley League. After trailing 2-1 at the end of the first period the Pirates found their legs to forge a tie at three before permitting the go ahead goal near the end of the second stanza. The lads from Rockland continued their up hill battle rallying from a two goal deficit early in the third period to threaten to level the contest at five before surrendering the final goal in their 6-4 loss to the Devils.

"We Play As We Have Practiced"

The first game of the '07-08 season is fast approaching. The Pirates open their campaign against a non-league opponent, The Jersey Devils, at the South Mountain Arena in West Orange NJ on 9/8 at 4:15 PM.

Pirates Capture Championship

"Thanks for a great season boys"

We're Ready

Pop Tom and Michael

Coach McGee

"The boys are ready, I'm not sure about me."

We Are The Champions

A scant four hours later the Pirate contingent was back at Twin Ponds, for the final game of this wonderful season. Queen singing their signature song could not top the heartwarming season-ending speech given by Head Coach Chris McGee at our pizza party or Assistant Coach Sean Quinn demanding one more 'hoooot, hoooot' from the gallery. "How would it end? Who would we play? Could we handle a loss? To the classless Bears? To the brutish Sharks?" These were the pre-game ruminations between Nana Lucy and Pop Tom as they pondered their soon-to-be 3 hour trek home with Dillon and Kaylee. Our concern for the mood in the car with their parents suddenly called away was quickly disspelled early in the first period as our own little Mighty Mite, Dillon Raymond Krok, came up big time. Known more for his shot than his foot work on the ice, Dillon scored two goals in Pop Tom fashion. Our feisty firebrand deftly took his time in gathering a rebound in front of the crease and backhanded the biscuit over a strewn, defenseless goalie. For good measure, he similarly popped a forehand over a fallen net minder in a goal mouth scramble a few minutes later to send the redoubtable band of Pirates on to a season ending, tournament clinching 5-2 triumph over the Atlantic City Sharks. Supperb net minding by Owen McGee and Liam McCullough marked this tournament. The line of CJ Greco, Dolan Ocasal, Brian Quinn and the trio of Ryan McLinskey, CJ McGee and Dillon 'Rockin' Krok were awesome throughout. Tandems of Luke Myers and Ciaran McEnroe and Matt McGivney and Anthony Margiotta sparkled when called upon at the back line. And the fan base ain't too bad either. "Dillon, only for one more goal. I was itching to throw my lucky tam on the ice." So until next year...

Can you say SHUTOUT

"On to the Championship game!"

The Stage is Set

"We win this, we are in the championship game."

Hershey Arena 6:30am

The Big Stage

On The Big Stage

Our boys were game-ready bright and early on the final day of the tournament. The Pirates had assured themselves a berth in the championship game to be played later in the day with their two earlier victories. The team and parents came out firing for the scheduled 6:50am contest at the cavernous Hershey Center Arena, the former home of the prestigious Hershey Bears, an elite AHL franchise. Our group needed no wake up call for the first drop of the puck against the hated in-league opponent, the Bedford Bears. The same could not be said for a certain older fan who needed a 4am wake up call to be able to function at this ungodly hour! Hoarse voiced fans were ready to counter any obscene Bear chants with "Who cares for the Bedford Bears" as a chorus of their own. With Liam McCullough back between the pipes our Pirate troop was able to turn back every onslaught made by a gritty group of nine Bears who did all in their power to reverse their two earlier in-league losses to the Pirates. With Anthony Margiotta giving up his body and pinching on the boards, with Ciaran McEnroe supporting Liam effectively in the crease, it was only a matter of time before a Pirate break through against their under manned, leg weary opponents. The Pirates earned a hard fought 3-0 shutout on the strength of the mucking in the corners by Dillon Krok and Brian Quinn. The skating efforts of Ryan McLinskey, Dolan Ocasal, and CJ Greco dominated the second and third periods. Assistant Coach Ray Krok summed it up best in his post game comment to the news media. "Our boys spent more energy with this morning's super effort than I spent in cash at the chocolate factory yesterday. And damn, at least I will get to enjoy this one!"

Shark Attack Repelled

"These guys might be bigger than us, but no one plays BIGGER than we do."

Shark Hunting

Our energetic warriors showed no ill effects of their late night frollicking in the halls of the Sheraton as they hit the ice on Saturday for game two of this three day tournament. This could not be said of the parents of the lads who were paying the price for having 'hit the ice' in their beer chests and mixed drinks the previous evening. The Pirates were up against an unfamiliar opponent, the Atlantic City Sharks. The Sharks had fought the Bedford Bears to a four-all draw in their opener. As a fitting St. Patrick's Day tribute our lads were led on the ice by the bagpiping of Tom McEnroe to the raucous delight of the Pirate parents in various states of recovery. Our group of eleven was significantly out manned and out weighed by the Shark contingent but were never out played in what was a particularly well played game. The spunky Pirates perservered and opened up a four goal lead late in the third period that bewildered and annoyed the AC coaching staff. Strong play from Dolan Ocasal and CJ McGee up front and Luke Myers and Matt McGivney on the back line were the difference makers in this Pirates 5-2 victory. Owen McGee's net minding matched the brillance of his counterpart of a day earlier. "Here we go Pirates, here we go" resonated in the stands as Pirate fans refused to be out chanted.

Pizza Party Celebration

"Boys, a great season, a great opening win but there is more work to be done"

The Ice Breaker

The Pearl River Pirates opened their final weekend of play this date with a remarkable effort against the Hudson Valley Polar Bears at the Twin Ponds Mite A Tornament In Harrisburg Pa. Just one hour after a caravan of parents and eleven truant youngsters had made the 190 mile journey from Rockland County, NY. In what turned out to be an 8 inch snow and ice storm that covered the northeast, our feisty lads hit the ice with plenty of vigor in their legs. The boys opened up a 2-0 lead after one period on the strength of CJ Greco's strong play against the Hudson Valley Polar Bears who gamely (pun intended) fought back to equalize the score at two entering the third period of play. The PR Pirates were not to be denied as Ryan McLinskey and CJ McGee scored early in the third to assure a 5-2 victory. Liam McCollough was outstanding in the nets for the Pirates and came up big with his deft catching hand and his ability to smother the puck at his feet and not yield rebounds. Pirates and their parents celebrated their maiden victory with a pizza party in the hotel banquet room and an endless knee hockey game in the corridors of the Sheraton Hotel in Harrisburg that had management question the discounted rack rate given to the team.

THE CHAMPS: Pearl River Pirates

"KROK ROCKS" Ray and Dillon

It Was 'Bad News' for the Bears

I had a thrilling weekend watching Dillon attain another wonderful goal (pun intended) that he had set for himself. Saturday morning was the championship game of the Hudson Valley Youth Hockey League (Mite Division). The Pearl River Pirates who had come in first place in the league faced the second place Bedford Bears in a one-game, winner-take-all playoff for the title. Both teams had easily eliminated lesser opponents in their respective first rounds to set up this, their third meeting of the year. An in-season win and a tie did not give me a high level of confidence. Especially after the stirring performance that had come at Madison Square Garden two days earlier. Would this be anticlimatic to a bunch of 8 year olds? So I got myself out of bed early on Saturday morning to make my way over to Coach Krok's (my son, Dillon's dad) house so that I would not have to make the one hour drive to Newburgh by myself. Pop Tom couldn't make it, and I couldn't miss it! And how I would have hated myself if I had!! In a great game which saw the Pirates rally from a two goal deficit, my little #22, Dillon Raymond Krok, Mr Fiesty himself, managed to net the winner with one of his booming drives late in the third period to lift the Pirates to a 4-3 victory. Congratulations to the Pirates and their coaches on attaining their season's objective. Well done guys!

Speaking of anticlamatic, well let's describe the (tired group of) Pirates drubbing by the NJ Devils (2-6) as being a minor glitch in what was a wonderful day.