Rob Schremp scored twice in the first playoff game of his North American pro career, helping the Portland Pirates to a 6-4 win over the Hershey Bears in Game 1 of their Atlantic Division semifinal series at Cross Insurance Arena on Friday night.
The Pirates lead the best-of-five series, 1-0, heading into Saturday’s Game 2.
Schremp, a 2004 first-round draft pick by Edmonton, played six seasons of pro hockey in the AHL and NHL before finally reaching the postseason for the first time this spring. The two-time AHL All-Star did make the playoffs in Sweden (2012, 2015) and Austria (2013).
Shane Harper also scored a pair of goals and Rocco Grimaldi recorded three assists for the Pirates, who also got single goals from Kyle Rau and Brett Olson. Brent Regner and Corban Knight added two assists each.
Mike McKenna (1-0) made 28 saves to earn the win.
Tyler Lewington scored twice for the Bears, who trailed 2-0, 3-1 and 5-2 but could never draw even. Ryan Stanton and Jakub Vrana also scored, and Travis Boyd, Chris Bourque and Chandler Stephenson each had two assists.
Dan Ellis (0-1) stopped 26 of 32 shots in the loss.
Atlantic Division Semifinals – Series “A” (best-of-5)
A1-Hershey Bears vs. A4-Portland Pirates
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 22 – PORTLAND 6, Hershey 4
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 23 – Hershey at Portland, 7:00
Game 3 – Thu., Apr. 28 – Portland at Hershey, 7:00
*Game 4 – Sat., Apr. 30 – Portland at Hershey, 7:00
*Game 5 – Sun., May 1 – Portland at Hershey, 5:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
.@KyleRau lighting the lamp #HERvsPOR pic.twitter.com/KE6k6vs7LW
— AHL (@TheAHL) April 22, 2016
