Pirates beat Providence 4-2 to quickly right the ship

The Portland Pirates got right back to business, edging the Providence Bruins by a 4-3 count at Cross Insurance Arena to win their seventh game in the last eight outings.

After a scoreless first period, Providence kicked off the scoring with Matt Irwin getting the goal from Zack Phillips and Colton Hargrove at 4:17 of the second stanza.

Kyle Rau and Jonathan Racine set up Shane Harper for the equalizer at the 11:50 mark. The goal was Harper's fourth of the season.

Frankie Simonelli bagged his first of the campaign 3:49 later to put the P-Bruins back on top. Justin Hickman drew the only assist on the even-strength marker.

Rocco Grimaldi notched his fifth goal, on a power-play, with the assists going to Rob Flick and Brent Regner 1:49 into the final frame to forge a 2-2 tie.

Portland's power-play clicked again 1:45 later with Flick getting the goal this time and Dylan Olsen and Harper combining on the assists.

John McFarland fired in his career-best 11th goal, with Portland enjoying yet another man-advantage, at 4:47. Garrett Wilson and Rob Schremp were credited with the assists.

Providence's Hargrove made things interesting with a late goal at 19:15, from Brandon DeFazio, to pull the Bruins back within one, but the Pirates were able to hold on to pick up the win in regulation.

Mike McKenna finished with 31 saves to win his seventh straight start. Zane McIntyre took the loss for Providence, stopping 25 of the 29 shots he faced.

Portland (17-12-1) will host a two-game set against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this weekend.