Friday, February 23, 2007
TODAY'S GAME
WHO: Portland Pirates at Worcester Sharks
WHEN: 7 p.m.
If Mark Hartigan and Joe Motzko look extremely comfortable on the ice with each other playing for the Portland Pirates, there's a good reason.
After playing together for seven of the last eight seasons, each has a good idea of what the other is going to do.
"They have unbelievable chemistry out on the ice," Portland Coach Kevin Dineen said. "It's like they know where each other is going to be and are one step ahead of the play at that time."
The Anaheim Ducks acquired Hartigan and Motzko from the Columbus Blue Jackets Jan. 25 in exchange for Zenon Konopka and Curtis Glencross.
"It was one of those things where (the trade) just happened, where a change of scenery was good for both of us" Motzko said. "We both kind of wanted to move on."
Motzko and Hartigan spent the last 312 seasons playing primarily on the same line in the AHL with Syracuse. At the time of the trade, they were the Crunch's top scorers. Before that, the two spent three seasons at St. Cloud State in Minnesota.
"We've been through a lot together, and it's fun to have someone there with you to share all the experiences," said Motzko, from Bemidji, Minn.
"Obviously, we wish we're in the NHL playing together," said Hartigan, from Fort St. John, British Columbia. "It's always nice to have somebody who you have a lot in common with from years back."
Their familiarity is especially helpful on the ice.
"We understand the way each other plays," Motzko said. "We know what each other is trying to do out there. We kind of feed off each other and create space for each other."
"We have been playing the same systems for so long at the same time, we just have the knack (for knowing) what the other person is thinking," Hartigan said.
Since becoming Pirates, both Hartigan and Motzko have made a definite impact.
In his first 10 games, Motzko has four goals and four assists. In his first five games, Hartigan, who played three games in the NHL with the Ducks before he was assigned to Portland, has three goals and an assist.
In the 10 games before the trade, the Pirates were 3-6-0-1.
In the 10 games since, the Pirates are 4-3-1-2.
"We know each other's tendencies, what we're trying to do out there," Motzko said.
"Sometimes, chemistry happens with new guys as well, but it's rare," Hartigan said.
Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 725-8795 or at:
Questions/Comments
North of the Border
Recently Seen
May Pajama Story Time
Pirates PlayOff Hockey Game - May 6
Propel event
'What Happens in Vegas'
The Baker's Bench
The Big Lebowski
Where's the beach?
Casting Call
Reader comments
Sort by: Oldest first | Newest First
Definately a rarity to find guys who've been around this much. But with experience it allows guys to know where one another might be in relation to a given scheme or alignment. Hopefully we can benefit from these two before they get their call to Anaheim.
Good luck tonight against the Sharks, give them the same showing you did last Sunday!
GO PIRATES!report abuse
You must be a registered user of MaineToday.com to post a comment. Register or log in.