Rob Flick (1) ended the longest game in the 23-year history of the Portland Pirates, scoring at 3:10 of the third overtime period to give his club a huge 2-1 victory over the Hershey Bears.
This is what playoff hockey is all about boys and girls. #AllHandsOnDeck pic.twitter.com/7HcnJT2Pki
— Portland Pirates (@PortlandPirates) April 29, 2016
Veteran Rob Schremp set up the game-winner, sending a cross-ice pass to Flick, who one-timed the puck past Justin Peters from the right circle to give Portland a 2-1 series lead over favored Hershey. Corban Knight picked up the secondary assist on the play.
The Bears opened the scoring at 5:27 of the second period, with the goal going to Nathan Walker and the assists to Dustin Gazley and Madison Bowey.
Greg McKegg, just back from the parent Florida Panthers, tied the game with a wrap-around goal 6:28 into the final frame. McKegg’s first of the postseason was set up by Brett Olson and Brent Regner.
Mike McKenna stopped 41 shots to get the win, while Peters finished with 42 saves for the Bears.
Game 4 for the best-of-5 series is in Hershey on Saturday night, If the Pirates fall, the deciding game will take place on Sunday. The winner of the series will face the rested and waiting Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.