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.