The Portland Pirates (6-6) took a 3-2 shootout decision over the Providence Bruins at Dunkin’ Donuts Center in front of a crowd of 8.369 on Sunday. The win was Portland’s third straight and first on the road this season.
Providence, who had already beaten Portland twice coming into the game, took the lead at 14:24 of the opening period when Colton Hargrove lit the lamp from Max Talbot and Noel Acciari.
Kyle Rau scored 59 seconds later, with the assists going to Dylan Olsen and Wayne Simpson, to even the game. The tip-in goal was the former Golden Gopher’s sixth of the young season.
The score remained tied at one until the 12:37 mark of the third. Portland’s Shane Harper got his first of the year with Brett Olson and Cameron Gaunce collecting the helpers.
Anton Blidh replied 46 seconds later to forge a 2-2 tie. Blidh’s goal was set up by Colby Cave and Garry Nunn .
After turning aside 25 of 27 shots in regulation and overtime, Mike McKenna denied all three P-Bruin shooters in the skills competition to make Rau’s opening-round backhander stand up.
The Pirates continue their four-game road trip with a stop in Syracuse, where they will take on the Crunch on Wednesday night.