The Portland Pirates beat the Hartford Wolf Pack 3-2 in front of a crowd of 3,3,14 fans at Cross Insurance Arena, putting the AHL club into the playoffs in its first year as the Florida Panthers affiliate. The win was Portland’s 40th of the season.
Logan Shaw (10,11) scored two goals, including the game-winner with 3:55 left in the third period. The winning goal was set up by Wade Megan and Connor Brickley, who has points in seven of his last nine games.
Hartford’s Adam Tambellini opened the scoring with an even-strength goal at 16:57 of the first period.
Shane Harper (12) tied the game at 13:36 of the second, with the assists going to forwards Kyle Rau and Chase Balisy.
Shaw put Portland ahead with a shorthanded tally 2:39 later. Corban Knight drew the lone assist on the goal.
Wolf Pack captain Mat Bodie evened the tilt 26 seconds after Shaw’s goal to send the teams to the final frame tied at two.
Rookie goalie Sam Brittain got the win, stopping 19 shots for the Pirates. Magnus Hellberg took the loss, finishing with 28 saves.
Portland (40-26-5-2) is off until Friday when they host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in their final home game before playing two in Springfield to close the regular season slate.