The Portland Pirates capped off a tough stretch of three games in three days with wins over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Providence Bruins to run their winning streak to five games. Veteran goaltender Mike McKenna broke Jhonas Enroth‘s franchise record by winning his 12th start in a row against the Sound Tigers.
Portland 3, Bridgeport 1
The Pirates skated to a 3-1 win to complete a back-to-back sweep of the visiting Sound Tigers on Saturday night. Mike McKenna made 21 stops to set a new franchise record with his 12th consecutive win. Rob Schremp (15) opened the scoring at 16:11 of the first period. Cameron Gaunce and MacKenzie Weegar drew the helpers on the power-play tally. Garrett Wilson (7) put Portland up by two with an even-strength goal at 15:11 of the second from Greg McKegg and McKenna. Chase Balisy set up defenseman Dylan Olsen (2) early in the third period give the Pirates an insurmountable three-goal lead. Bracken Kearns beat McKenna midway through the final frame to break up the shutout bid. Kearns’ goal was assisted by Taylor Beck and Carter Verhaeghe. Christopher Gibson took the loss for visiting Bridgeport, finishing with 25 saves.
Portland 2, Providence 1 (OT)
With Portland playing for a third straight day, prospect Sam Brittain spelled Mike McKenna and delivered a huge 45-save performance as the Pirates nipped the P-Bruins 2-1 in overtime. After a scoreless first period, Brent Regner (2) bagged a power-play goal at 7:11 of the second period, from Shane Harper and Rocco Grimaldi, to open the scoring. Colton Hargrove equalized early in the third, with the lone assist going to Seth Griffith, to tie the game. Grizzled vet Rob Schremp (16) notched the game-winner from John McFarland 4:19 into the extra session. Brittain raised his record to 5-6 with the win. Malcolm Subban stopped 30 shots and took the loss. for the home team
The second-place Pirates (23-13-1) will return home for two games against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Friday and Saturday. The red-hot club will visit the Wolf Pack in Hartford on Sunday.