Dineen penalized as Pirates take tumble

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By STEVE MYRICK, Special to Portland Press Herald

Saturday, January 13, 2007

TODAY'S GAME

WHO: Portland Pirates vs. Hartford Wolf Pack

WHEN: 7:05 p.m.

WHERE: Cumberland County Civic Center

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The division-leading Manchester Monarchs handed the Portland Pirates a 2-1 setback Friday night in a game between Atlantic Division contenders.

The first 55 minutes won't make any highlight reels, but the last five included a penalty shot, a late goal for the Pirates with their goalie on the bench, and a gross misconduct penalty on Portland Coach Kevin Dineen.

The penalty shot was called by referee Steve Kozari when a loose stick got between Monarchs defenseman Mike Weaver and Pirates forward Zenon Konopka, trying to defend.

"Who knows what happened? The stick got in the way. Referee-wise, I don't think that was the worst call of the night," said Konopka.

"It's a battle every time we play these guys. There's going to be battles, there's going to be fights. That's the way we like to play. We just have to realize we can't give up any goals."

Dineen, who was more furious with the battering of Zonopka than the penalty-shot ruling, was charged with a bench minor during the game and a gross misconduct afterward. He left without talking to the media but had plenty to say to the officiating crew.

The misconduct, his second of the season, may result in a suspension.

Tempers flared midway through the first period. Manchester enforcer Mike Hoffman and Konopka were whistled for fighting.

Patrick O'Sullivan put the Monarchs ahead in the second period.

He carried the puck into the zone, paused to take advantage of a screen, then snapped in a wrist shot.

Manchester took a 2-0 lead in the third. Hoffman passed from behind the net, and the puck dribbled to Matt Ryan, who scored.

The penalty shot did not figure in the final score. Weaver missed it high and wide.

Zonopka thought the play worked to Portland's advantage.

"Having a defenseman shoot a penalty shot with six minutes left instead of giving them a two-minute power play, I think it helped us.

"They missed it and we got a chance to come back."

With goalie Mike Wall off for an extra skater, Colby Genoway of Portland scored on a deflection.

Portland got other quality chances in the final seconds.

Brett Skinner grabbed a rebound and had plenty of net to shoot at from the right side, but his shot sailed over the crossbar and the game ended 2-1.

The Pirates return to Portland for five home games in the next eight nights, beginning tonight against the Hartford Wolf Pack (20-16-3-0) at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Reader comments

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Andrew of South Portland, ME

Jan 15, 2007 12:19 PM

We've been use to that sort of treatment this season...

But maybe we'll luck out and the AHL will no longer schedule this guy to officiate Portland games, much the same way they did to the Koharski's...

Sipes of Hartford, CT

Jan 13, 2007 10:19 AM

Coach Dineen Rocks. He stands up for his players and the sport of hockey. What is it with the officiating at this level? Pretty punky of them to ignore a man who has spent his entire life in the sport. I had a flash back and almost saw Dineen in sweater green jumping onto the ice to stand up for a team-mate. But low and behold, it was the bench holding him back and a clipboard went flying instead. Well I understand that. I used to throw frozen fish out onto the ice. (See, things can always be worse). Perhaps coach and I should both mature a bit and start keeping an extra copy of the Official Rules in our pockets for our throwing pleasure. At any rate, somewhere along the line the officials need to be held accountable for their actions as well. They behaved like little boys in an inclusive club, not like the professional men they need to be at this level of hockey.

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