The Portland Pirates had their modest two-game winning streak snapped in a disappointing 6-2 loss to the Springfield Falcons Sunday at MassMutual Center. Defenseman Corey Potter scored two goals and added two assists for Springfield.
Craig Cunningham (PPG) and Greg Carey scored first period markers to stake the home team to a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes.
Michael Bunting scored the Falcons’ second power-play goal 3:24 into the second period to send Sam Brittain, who stopped 8 of 11 shots and took the loss, to the bench in favor of Mike McKenna.
Falcon Phil Lane beat McKenna 59 seconds later to put the home team up by four.
Rob Flick (5) pulled one back for the Pirates at the 13:17 mark from Chase Balisy and Jonathan Racine.
MacKenzie Weegar (5) scored off a Kyle Rau set up to cut the deficit to two 7:07 into the final frame. Weegar now has five points in Portland’s last three games.
Potter put the game away with an even-strength tally at 9:24 before he completed the scoring into an empty net with a shorthanded goal with 3:46 left in regulation.
Niklas Treutle finished with 33 saves to post the win. McKenna finished up with 9 stops on 11 shots.
The third-place Pirates (26-16-1) are off until Friday when they host the Hartford Wolf Pack at Cross Insurance Arena at 7 p.m.