The rejuvenated Portland Pirates beat the Syracuse Crunch 4-1 Wednesday night to post their fourth straight win and second in a row on the road.
Connor Brickley opened the scoring with his first goal in a Pirates uniform just 1:37 into the first period. Shane Harper drew the only assist on the even-strength marker.
Veteran Rob Schremp, the team’s leading scorer, put Portland up by two at the 12:09 mark. Schremp’s seventh goal was set up by winger Logan Shaw.
Defenseman Mike Matheson came up with the only goal of the second period at 13:36 from Chase Balisy. It was Matheson’s second of the season.
Syracuse finally got on the board 7:59 into the final frame when Philippe Paradis beat Pirates keeper Mike McKenna. Tanner Richard and Yanni Gourde collected the helpers on the play.
Brett Olson completed the scoring into an empty net, with the Pirates on a power play, with 35 seconds remaining in the game. Cameron Gaunce and Balisy combined to set up Olson’s first of the 2015-16 campaign.
McKenna finished the game with 20 saves, while loser Kristers Gudlevskis stopped 21 for the Crunch.
Portland (7-6) will be in Hershey for back-to-back games with the Bears on Friday and Saturday night..