Enroth heads to Buffalo; Pirates prepare to move on

The Portland Pirates will be without goaltender Jhonas Enroth for the foreseeable future after he was recalled by the Buffalo Sabres, yesterday.

Enroth, 21, was recalled because the Sabres’ backup goaltender Patrick Lalime sustained a groin injury in Monday’s practice and hasn’t been able to skate.

In 10 games with the Pirates this season, Enroth is 3-7-0 with a 3.90GAA and a .872 save percentage.

“We’re all struggling, he’s struggling, he’s got an ugly goals against, and we’ve got an ugly win-loss record,” said Pirates’ head coach Kevin Dineen. “Everybody’s part of the package and certainly we’d like to send him up with the goals against (Jonathan) Bernier’s got in Manchester, but he’s a professional and he understands that part of his package is being ready to (play).”

In the meantime, the Pirates have brought in Mike Fellows, a local resident, as a practice goalie until a replacement can be found. In past years, it might have been Ray Jean, but he’s currently playing for the Mississippi RiverKings of the CHL.

“Mike’s a great local guy to come in and fill the net when we need him,” said Dineen. “I think he’s loves doing it and we love having him and it’s been a good fit for us.”

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Defenseman Dennis Persson and forward Pau l Byron were on the ice this morning, taking part in non-contact drills as they progress in their recovery. Persson has been out with concussion-like symptoms since …., while Byron has been dealing with some upper-body contusions.

Portland still is without Brad Larsen, who is recovering from a fractured left foot and Nathan Gerbe, who is dealing with an undisclosed injury. Each are without a time frame on their return.

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