PORTLAND ”“ Who says Rodney “don’t get no respect”.

Bryan Rodney, a defenseman for the Albany River Rats, was getting plenty of respect for riding in on a white horse and giving Team Canada a lift that led to its 10-9 shootout win over Team PlanetUSA, in Tuesday’s AHL All-Star Classic, staged at the Civic Center before 5,225 patrons.

It was Rodney’s lunging save on Nathan Gerbe’s attempt in the final minute to pocket an empty netter, that kept PUSA from sealing what should have been a done deal.

Instead Canada capped a four-goal third period comeback with Alexandre Giroux’s tying goal with 18 seconds remaining.

That in turn led to the shootout winner by PK. Subban (Hamilton Bulldogs).

Respect?

That’s all you heard coming out of the cramped Canada dressing room.

“He (Rodney) is the reason why we won,” said Subban. “Without him, we wouldn’t have.”

Said forward Dustin Jeffrey of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, “I thought he (Rodney) should have been MVP of the game. He made a great play to come back. I’ve never seen anybody skate that hard in an All-Star game.”

Actually, the MVP turned out to be Portland Pirates’ center Tyler Ennis, a choice that was hard to quibble with.

The slippery rookie netted a first period goal for Canada on a nifty snapper that found space inside the right post.

He also assisted on two others, including Giroux’s crucial tally.

However, even Ennis had trouble believing what he saw as Gerbe, his Pirates’ linemate playing for PUSA, barrel in for what appeared to be a sure empty netter, only to have Rodney launch himself head first toward the net, getting just enough extension to deflect the puck just outside the left post.

Think Don Beebee and Leon Lett, and you get the idea.

“I’m surprised anyone could catch Gerbe,” said Ennis. “He’s one of the fastest guys in the league. For Rodney to catch up to him and save that, and turn it up ice when we scored was an exciting play on defense.”

Said Gerbe, “I didn’t know how close the guy was. I was skating as fast as I could. But he got right in front. I was going to shoot, but it tipped off his body. I should have flicked it over him, but I tried putting it low.

Rodney, who has been something of a hockey vagabond since turning pro five years ago, said he was just relying on his instincts.

It was just something I felt I had to do,” said Rodney. “Luckily I was able to keep it out of the net.”

Up to then, it appeared that PlanetUSA, which also featured Pirates defenseman Mike Weber, would prevail in front of the home folks.

It held a cushy four goal lead after Gerbe banked a back hander off shin of Canada’s captain (and former Pirate) Nolan Baumgartner to make it 9-5 with 12:27 to play.

However, Canada came back with four unanswered tallies, as the pace became frantic.

“When something like that happens,” said Ennis, it’s definitely a boost. It always seems to happen in games like this.”

— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.