November 18, 2006 - Hackensack, NJ: In Maine's first game of the 2006/2007 Prudential Northeast Sled Hockey League season, the Portland Sled Hockey Pirates turned in a strong performance outscoring the Connecticut WolfPack 7 to 0.  In their final meeting of the 2005/2006 PNESHL Season, the Pirates and the Pack battled to a 1 to 0 finish in which Maine barely squeaked out  the win.

The Pirates have added offensive and defensive depth to their veteran team in the off season, but this was the first time that the Pirates were able to try out the new line combinations and defensive pairings implemented by Assistant Coach, Kip St. Germaine. After missing on some simple passes and banging into their own players in the early going, the team found a new rhythm and soon started clicking.

Perhaps anticipating the defensive orientation Maine took when the two teams last met in March, the Pack seemed stunned by the way the Pirates had reworked their game plan. Maine loaded up offensively scoring 3 goals in the first period and 4 more in the second.  By the third period the Wolves had adjusted with goalie Karen Smith and the CT defense turning back 9 more shots by the Maine forwards who had a total of 21. Connecticut registered 7 shots against Maine goal tender Jeff Labbe.

The two teams will next meet on January 14 during the PNESHL Game Day at the Danbury Ice Arena in Danbury, CT. The WolfPack is expected to have added 2006 Paralympian Brad Emerson to their crew by then to join with fellow Paralympic teammate Tim Jones. Connecticut's experience and level of play increases with every game. With the memory of last season's finale a reminder of what can happen on any given Sunday, the Pirates are expecting a dog fight in the rematch.       

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Maine Sled Hockey Program
255 Pine Point Road, Scarborough, ME 04074
207-883-0420    207-885-5593 Fax
www.mainesledhockey.org
MaineSledHockey@maine.rr.com
Copyright © 2005, Maine Sled Hockey Program

Fast Facts: Sled hockey is one of the fastest growing disabled sports in the world with new sled hockey programs and sled hockey teams showing up everywhere. There are about 50 adult sled hockey teams and junior sled hockey teams in the USA. Sled hockey is played in several countries. Sweden claims to have originated sled hockey. The US Sled Hockey Team won the gold medal in the 2002 Paralympics. The Prudential Northeast Sled Hockey League is the first organized adult sled hockey league in the USA. Sled hockey players are extremely committed to the sport of sled hockey and regularly teach sled hockey clinics and participate in sled hockey outreach events and sled hockey exhibitions. Anyone wishing to try sled hockey should have ample opportunities to play.