Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

His back up Jason LaBarbera is also available to test the market. If you can get him cheap I would consider it, but I think it has more to do with if Smitty re-signs. If Smitty stays I see Chad Johnson as the every day back up and maybe eventual starter. I really think the days of both Smitty and Barbs are over.

The pair that will be our first priority this off season will be Mikkel Boedker and Lauri Korpikoski. They are both restricted free agents so a deal should be done with both and should be considered before messing with any goalies.  Michael Stone is young enough to most likely come back and not be a big concern as he is restricted and will return next season.

Onto the question marks. The unrestricted free agents that are not superstars but very vital to the team. Face off guru Boyd Gordon will be there for the taking but should not receive a ton of offers to steal him from the Coyotes. One fan favorite is Rob Klinkhammer who shows a ton of potential. I hope we re-sign him and get him on the 3rd or 4th line permanently. I love this kid and the fact he plays with reckless abandoned.

The gritty Kyle Chipchura may be a piece worth keeping as he has provided everything Biznasty has and then some. I like his overall game and with the loss of Raffi Torres it is much needed toughness we lack at times. Tired of seeing Ollie get beat up with little protection. The Captain Shane Doan cannot do it all. We need an enforcer.

A few minor leaguers round out the free agent dilemma including Andy Miele and David Rundblad. Let’s not forget the Johnsons, Nick and Chad. Let’s hope we get our boys under contract and can afford to bring in some talented help.

Back to back games are hard on the legs. Providence got it’s revenge from 2 nights earlier by a 3-2 margin.  Both sides took little time scoring as Bourque gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead 36 secs into the game. Less than a minute later Bolduc tied it back up 1-1 and the Pirates even took the lead 6 minutes later with a Klinkhammer one timer on the power play. That would be all the scoring for the Pirates as Providence tied it on a Bartkowski goal late in the opening period. Neither team would score until Whitfield put in the game winner late in the third period for Providence as they sent home Portland unhappy, but almost 9,000 of their home fans happy. Pirates goalie Johnson gave up 3 goals on 27 shots.

Ah what a difference a day makes. Tired legs? No problem as the Pirates edged Bridgeport 2-1 on another excellent performance in goal by Mark Visentin. He stopped 39 of 40 shots on goal. Standing on his head was an understatement. All of the scoring occurred in the opening stanza as Bolduc opened up the score sheet with his team high 16th goal of the season just over 7 minutes in from Summers and Rundblad; followed by Andy Miele and a power play goal that would be the game winner late in the first from Stone and Shinnimin.  The Tigers answered with a goal late in the same period but no more scoring after that. A few fights highlighted the night and the home crowd of 5,000 got their money’s worth. Nothing like an old fashion rumble to get the juices flowing eh?

Pirates take on Worcester tomorrow night in front of the home crowd then a back to back this weekend.

Link below of fight seen in pic above.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151338257491310&set=vb.837281309&type=2&theater