GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – Portland proved it can score goals Saturday night, but the Pirates also proved they can commit penalties, and it was the penalties that were the downfall in a 6-3 season-opening loss to Adirondack at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Ethan Werek, whose first AHL goal was a game-winner here 10 months ago, got the Pirates on the board with 11:52 left in the first period, beating Scott Munroe, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Andy Miele also scored on Munroe, But the Pirates committed eight penalties, played two men on two occasions and gave up a short-handed goal in rough-and-tumble game.

Brayden Schenn scored twice for the Phantoms, including an empty-net goal with 50.6 seconds remaining. Harry Zolnierczyk, Ty McGinn, Garrett Roe, and Sean Courturier all scored for the Phantoms, who held a 47-33 edge in shots on goal.

Phil Lane assisted on Werek’s goal. Ekman-Larsson, who was with the Coyetes in the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, scored with 51 seconds left in the first period on an assist from Miele. With 1:14 gone in the second period, Miele scored an unassisted goal to make it 3-2, Portland, but the Pirates couldn’t get another goal the rest of the the night.

Chad Johnson had 41 saves for the Pirates, who were 0-for-5 on the power play, but successfully defended seven of eight times the Phantoms were up a man. Despite that, the penalties disrupted Portland’s play.

The Pirates are off until Friday when they host Worcester at Lewiston. The following night they start a three-game road trip at Manchester.