Wolf Pack Week Ahead
February 11, 2005
BRUCE BERLET | Link to Story |

Saturday, Portland, 7:35 p.m.: The Wolf Pack (32-16-1-2) return to the Civic Center for the first time since Jan. 22 - and none too soon. They have lost four in a row in regulation for the first time since dropping five straight Dec. 27, 2003, to Jan. 2, 2004. And the last two losses were their first back-to-back shutouts since March 19-20, 2003, as they completed a season-high, seven-game trip with a 2-5 record. But the Pack have won nine in a row at home, where they have the AHL's best record (21-3-0-1). And they're 4-0-1 against the Pirates, including a 7-2 victory Jan. 7 that was their most goals this season. The Pirates (20-22-3-4) have won a season-high three in a row - including two shutouts by Kirk Daubenspeck, signed Saturday as a backup replacement for former Quinnipiac goalie Justin Eddy. Daubenspeck (3-0, 0.59 goals-against average, .980 save percentage) had a shutout streak of 143:32 and stopped 75 shots before allowing a goal. C Trent Whitfield (10 goals, 19 assists) and RW Boyd Gordon (11, 14) lead the Pirates, who are 25th in goals scored (110).

Sunday-Monday, AHL All-Star Classic, at Manchester, N.H.: Pack G Jason LaBarbera (21-9-1, 2.05 GAA, .925 save percentage, four shutouts) and D Lawrence Nycholat (5, 25) will start for the Canadian team against PlanetUSA. The skills competition is Sunday at 7 p.m. The All-Star Game is Monday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

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