As Tim Army and assistant coach Mark Kumpel watched an opposing team’s practice, the Portland Pirates’ coaching staff discovered they both were hearing the same complaints.

Army heard from forward Brad Parsons that morning about how his line hadn’t been getting the scoring chances it wanted.

“I was talking with Kumps about it when we were in the stands,” said Army. “(He said), ‘Darcy (Verot) said the same thing to me.’ “

So Army gathered his checking line of Parsons, Verot and Roman Tvrdon together and told them not to worry about their number of scoring chances.

“What we talked about was that they’re doing the most important job,” said Army. “That they’re playing against a top line or top defensive line every night, and they are doing their job defensively, and they are getting chances.

Kumpel added that he was thrilled with their overall play and that it was what he envisioned them doing to lift the Pirates.

Parsons, Verot and Tvrdon are a hard-working, feisty checking line, but they’ve also found a way to contribute offensively. In one game, all three players scored a goal.

“Our line right now, we’re kind of out there as a checking line and out there to play against the other team’s top line,” said Parsons. “It’s good for us to chip in. If we’re chipping in and the regular guys can score, everything’s going to come together and we’re going to win a lot of games.”

Early on, the line was doing the job defensively but grew frustrated by its lack of punch offensively.

“You’ve got to be defensively reliable,” Army told them. “I’m not saying that you don’t have to play offensively, but then you can push yourself and take your chances off the offensive opportunities.”

Since then, the line has been one of the Pirates’ best. They’ve played well defensively, but their tenacious forecheck has put defenses on their heels. They may not be concerned about how much offense they produce, but they’re generating plenty.

“They’ve really developed into a good, disciplined unit,” said Army. “Some nights they’re going to get opportunities that they’ll finish off, and (there are) nights where they won’t finish, but they’ll get the opportunities.”

Parsons more productive

After scoring four goals in 75 games last year for the Pirates, Parsons has three early tallies already this season. The second-year pro came into the season intent on boosting his offensive numbers.

“I’m getting a chance on the power play,” said Parsons. “I got a few goals early. My confidence is built up. I feel good out there and feel I can contribute a lot more.”

In his first pro season last year after playing at Princeton, Parsons had four goals and 14 assists. To improve his chances of scoring, Parsons wanted to become stronger and tougher for opponents to move.

“This summer I worked on my shot, and I worked on my speed,” said Parsons. “I tried to get bigger so I can fend defensemen off a little bit more. I put on a little bit more weight. That’s helped me down low and in the slot. When I have a defenseman all over me, I can still get a shot off.”

Between the pipes

Rastislav Stana got his first taste of NHL action recently, playing the final period in Washington’s 5-2 loss to Tampa. Bay Stana is in Washington to backup Olaf Kolzig while Sebastien Charpentier is out with an arthritic hip condition. When Kolzig was pulled after allowing five goals against the Lightning, Stana played the final period, allowing no goals.

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