BIDDEFORD — By his own admission, Nathan Gerbe’s taste of the NHL last season, was less than satisfying.

While his initial AHL campaign with the Portland Pirates went well enough ”“ his 30 goals and 26 helpers netted him the league’s Rookie of the Year honors ”“ his 10-game stint in Buffalo didn’t exactly leave Sabres’ brass calling for an encore.

Still, the 5-foot-6 dynamo returned to Portland this year bent on making himself a more complete player, as well as making a case for another chance with the Sabres.

Opportunity banged on Gerbe’s door, Tuesday, when Buffalo summoned him to fill for forward Mike Grier, who is tending to an illness in his family, and this time the former Boston College star wasted no time in answering.

Wednesday, Gerbe netted his first-ever NHL goal in Buffalo’s 3-0 win over the Washington Capitals, a power play bank job off the leg of Caps goalie Jose Theodore.

“We worked on that in (the morning skate),” Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff told Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News following the game.”We said the first time we’re going low [in the zone] we’re going to stuff it. All we were really looking for was a (rebound). He didn’t follow instructions. He put it in.”

(That last remark drew laughter from the assembled media).

Gerbe also picked up an assist on the Sabres’ first goal, a blue line blast by defenseman Steve Montador.

“Last year, I got a great (chance),” Gerbe told Buffalo beat writers after the game,”but I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain, and I found myself back in Portland. Coming up this year, I want to make sure I come play my game, and play with the confidence I know I have.”

For his efforts, Gerbe was awarded the game’s Second Star.

All-Star Classic coming to Portland

The 2010 AHL All-Star Classic is set to hit Portland in a little more than a month ”“ Jan. 18 and 19 ”“ and plans for the gala are proceeding smoothly.

Among the features of the annual two-day event is the induction of a new class of enshrinees into the AHL Hall of Fame, which the league brought about in 2006.

The Class of 2010 will be announced this afternoon, and is expected to number approximately three new members.

Tickets for the Skills Competition and for the All-Star Game are both available through www.portlandpirates.com <dhickling@journaltribune.com.