A 35-save performance from Mike McKenna helped the Portland Pirates to a huge 3-2 road win over the Providence Bruins in the first game of a home-and-home between the two clubs, who are fighting for third place in the AHL’s Atlantic Division.
The Pirates jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a pair of goals that came in the latter part of the first period.
Sena Acolatse (7) opened the scoring at the 16:18 mark, with the assists going to Wade Megan and Logan Shaw.
Corban Knight set up Wayne Simpson (8) for another even-strength goal 1:52 later.
Knight (4) would light the lamp 8:56 into the second period to chase Providence starter Jeremy Smith, who finished with 18 saves on 21 shots. Rob Schremp and Simpson drew the assists on Knight’s eventual game-winner.
Brandon DeFazio notched a power-play goal 29 seconds into the final frame from Austin Czarnik and Alexander Khokhlachev to get the Bruins on the board.
Czarnik would make things interesting, scoring with 44 seconds left to pull Providence within a goal.
Zane McIntyre stopped all 15 of the shots he faced in relief of Smith.
The clubs, who each have 85 points, will square off again tonight at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland at 7 pm.