With periodic updates from the games throughout the day.

First, it's very heartening to see a scout from NHL Central Scouting among the first spectators in the building. He's here to see a particular player on the Portland Jr. Pirates (an AJHL rookie), but I was impressed that he knew of several other players on the team.

Despite the showcase kicking off in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday, several colleges from the area have representative in attendance, too

It took almost 5 minutes for the first penalty to be called in the Portland-Hudson Valley opener, and now there's been a flurry of them before the 10-minute mark. Everyone had better get used to the new rules. They are not going away.

Both goalies have looked good early on (Nick Broadwater for the Jr. Pirates, and Dustin Zenner for the Eagles). As i look up the teams are 4-4 (a familiar sight early on in the season), and there's plenty of open ice. No score yet halfway thru the first.

And another penalty. More later . . .

More from Pirates-Eagles:

With a couple of minutes to go, the Pirates' skill advantage has staked them to a 2-0 lead. Pretty passes from Andrew Letellier have not figured in the scoring, but he's bedeviling the Eagles.

P.O. Michaud scored a pretty goal on a long outlet pass, and the Pirates got another on a nice set play in the offensive zone, on a shot from the point.

Pirates really clicking on all cylinders, and Zenner is holding up well under the intense pressure. The Pirates' young Russian player, Vitaly Menshikov, is big and strong on his skates. It's obvious why so many like him. Only an '89 too.

Five minutes left in the second, and it's 4-1 Pirates. Electrifying stuff from Michaud and Marc Anthoine this period. Nice forechecking by Michaud, too.

With still only one game underway there are already a dozen DI and DIII scouts here from Army, Babson, Becker, Fitchburg St., UMass Boston, Umass Amherst, Hamilton College, Nicholls College, St. Anselm, Hobart and Plymouth St.

New game: Binghampton Jr. Senators and Boston Bulldogs.

Seven minutes into the game, and the Bulldogs have been called for 7 penalties. This from what has historically been a disciplined team. It's utter confusion at times on the ice, as the refs try to keep track of how many skaters should be on the ice at a given time. There are coincidental minors to deal with, and no one seems sure at times who should be where.

Were it not for the great goaltending of Andrew Ross, the Bulldogs would be down 4-0. As it stands it is 1-0 Binghampton, who has played most of the first seven minutes two men up.

With the Bulldogs back at full strentgh, they have begun to circle the Binghampton net and generate chances.

Now, two minutes later, the Bulldogs have accumulated another two penalties, and the coaching staff looks beside themselves. Jon Rutt and Dan Rautenberg have been valiatly trying to kill the penalties, while the Senators' Adam Longchamps and Jerry D'amigo have been buzzing around the net.