PORTLAND — Rastislav Stana just might be giving his coach something to think about.

The goaltender has certainly been making a case for himself in the final weeks of the regular season, making the choice for the Portland Pirates starting netminder in the playoffs a little more difficult.

“Rat’s played really well,” said Pirates coach Tim Army. “I still think both guys have played well all year long. Max (Ouellet) has run into some games where he hasn’t been as sharp. We’ve gone with Rat a little bit, and he’s played really well. We’ll make a decision next week.”

Considering Ouellet, a second team AHL all-star, has seven shutouts, tied for tops in the AHL, and is third in save percentage, he’s a likely candidate for the starting nod. Yet, Ouellet has won just once in the final month, March 9. He’s gone 3-7-5 the last two months. He’s allowed 55 goals in 20 appearances. During that same period, Stana has gone 4-5-4, allowing just 18 goals in 13 appearances. He’s had one shutout during that stretch and gone 2-1-1, including an overtime loss in the last two weeks and earning six points in four games.

Neither goaltender has much playoff experience as a pro. Ouellet’s last playoff duty came with Quebec in the QMJHL. Most of Stana’s experience was with Moose Jaw or Calgary in the WHL. His only pro playoff time came with Richmond of the ECHL two years ago.

Army says he’ll mull over his option the next few days and likely inform Thursday’s starter after practice Wednesday.

“I’ll think about it (Monday and Tuesday),” said Army. “I’m not sure what I want to do right now. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I want a couple of days to think about it. With a short series, it’s critical.”

Spare parts

This year’s collection of spare parts have been trickling in already.

Players from the college and juniors ranks are now joining the Portland Pirates roster for the upcoming playoffs.

In addition to adding defensemen Jonathan Zion and Ryan Van Buskirk from the East Coast Hockey League, Portland added wing Kevin Spiewak and center Warren Peters. Spiewak just finished up his career with the University of North Dakota while Peters joined the team after four seasons with Saskatoon in the WHL.

“We’ve got a couple of junior teams playing right now,” said Army. “We’ll see if anybody goes out. I’d like to bring in some of our junior players if I could. I’d love to give them an opportunity. So we may get a guy or two.”

The Pirates have featured some young aspiring talent in past playoff seasons. Jason Allison, Martin Gendron, Alexandre Volchkov, Brian Sutherby and Richard Zednik all saw playoff action with Portland after spending most of the season in juniors.

With some injuries to Glen Metropolit (concussion) and Andreas Salomonsson (back) and the unpredictability of the postseason, adding the spare players, not listed on the clear day roster, gives the team extra options.

“One thing these guys will do is they’ll come in and give you energy,” said Army. “That would be a real positive energy for our club.

“And nothing’s guaranteed with extra bodies here. The reality is if you don’t play maybe somebody else will. From a coaches standpoint, I’d love to have them.”

Peters, a Saskatoon native, attended Washington’s training camp last fall and signed a try-out contract this weekend. He’s coming off his best season in juniors with 34 goals and 26 assists for the Blades. He made his debut Sunday. Spiewak also signed a try-out contract. The native of Schaumburn, Illinois had a career high 15 goals and 29 points in 42 games with the Fighting Sioux. He’s played three games with the Pirates, scoring his first pro goal on a penalty shot Sunday.

Any number of other junior players could be brought in, depending on if their junior teams advances or not in the CHL playoffs and whether Washington can sign them to a contract. Defenseman Nathan Paetsch and forward Owen Fussey are two possible players that could eventually be available and land in Portland.

Playoff dates

The Pirates best-of-three qualifying series with Manitoba will begin Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Game 2 will be Friday at 7:05 p.m. and the finale, if needed with be Sunday at 6:05.

Should Portland win its qualifying series, it would play top-seeded Hamilton in a best-of-five series.

Playoff tickets go on sale Monday at Noon at the Cumberland County Civic Center box office. Tickets run at $19, $16 and $11, $9 for senior or children tickets. Tickets purchased on the day of the game will cost $1 more.

Player awards

The Pirates announced their postseason awards following Sunday’s game. Ouellet took home four awards. He was nabbed the team’s Most Valuable Player, as voted by the fans. He was the HG Insurance Maon of the Year in recognition of his commitment to the community. He was also given the Allied Home Mortgage Three Star Award, given to the player who earns the most three star points during the year. He also won the Jack Button Award as Washington’s top prospect.

Graham Mink, who skipped the awards presentation because of a possible injury, was named the Unsung Hero, as voted by the fans. Chris and Peter Ferraro were voted the Most Popular Players by the fans. Chris had already been honored earlier in the week with the AHL’s Fred T. Hunt Award for sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Mel Angelstad was given the Players’ Player Award by his teammates. It is the second year in a row the tough winger has earned that honor. Trent Whitfield was named the recipient of the Tom Ebright Award, given to the player that best exemplifies being a Portland Pirate.

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