PIRATES TAKE SERIES LEAD WITH 5-2 WIN

POST-GAME AUDIO: Todd Richards | John Curry | Tim Brent

PORTLAND, ME – The Portland Pirates tallied three times in the second period en route to a 5-2 victory against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday evening.  The win gives Portland a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series, with Game Four scheduled for Tuesday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

“I think it was a missed opportunity, because we played a great first period,” said head coach Todd Richards.  “We had some real good opportunities, and we came out of the period up one when I think it could have been a couple. 

“We came out in the second, we played an OK second, we gave them some opportunities and they were able to capitalize.  We still had some other chances at their end too and just couldn’t convert.  It was disappointing from that standpoint.  We worked hard to generate opportunities, some real good opportunities, and were unable to finish.”

Portland posted the win in front of goaltender Mike McKenna, who was filling in for regular starter Jean-Sebastien Aubin, who apparently suffered a leg injury in pregame.

The game started on a positive note for the Penguins, who jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a Mark Ardelan power play tally midway through the first period.

Portland All-Star Bobby Ryan evened the game early in the second period, one-timing a Stephen Dixon pass during a delayed penalty.  The goal was Ryan’s eighth of the playoffs and third in two games.

Former Pirate Time Brent put the Pens back in front with a deflection off a Ben Lovejoy point blast at the 10:43 mark

Portland controlled play from there, with a little help from a few Penguins penalties.

Nathan Smith and Dave Gove were whistled for infractions 24 seconds apart, allowing Geoff Platt to bury a blast from the point to tie the game. 

Jason King put Portland in front with a fluky type goal that deflected off of goaltender John Curry and fluttered over the goal line while each team skated down a man.

“They score a five on three goal, that always gives you a little bit of life.  And then the four-on-four goal, not a great goal, and it proves to be the game-winning goal,” said Richards.  “I think it was a little punch in the gut that took some air out of us a little bit.”

Dixon capitalized on a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton giveaway behind the Penguins net, taking a Platt pass and beating Curry for his third of the postseason, and Simon Ferguson ended the night with an empty net tally with 34 second left to give the Pirates their first win by more than one goal.

“We haven’t faced this yet,” said Curry, noting the adversity of trailing the series 2-1 with the next two games in Portland.  “I think we get that next game and it changes everything around, and changes the momentum around.”