PENGUINS EVEN SERIES WITH GAME FOUR VICTORY

POST-GAME AUDIO: Todd Richards | Deryk Engelland

PORTLAND, ME – Ben Lovejoy’s power play goal early in the third period proved to be the winner, as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins posted a 4-3 victory against the Portland Pirates in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night.  The win evened the series at two games apiece, with Game Five slated for Wednesday night in Maine.

“You’re down two-to-one, playing Game Four in the other team’s building with tomorrow back here again,” said head coach Todd Richards.  “They’ve proven over and over again this year, in big games, when they’ve had to rise to the occasion they’ve done that and found ways to succeed.  Tonight was no different.”

Tuesday’s contest eerily reflected Sunday night’s loss through the first 33 minutes, as the Pens’ once again jumped out to an early lead, only to see their hosts come back to take the advantage.

However, unlike Game Three, the Penguins were able to overcome a strong Portland attack to regain the lead and post the win.

“It was much like on Sunday.  We had a decent first period, not as good as Sunday’s, but I think some of that had to do with how Portland was playing the game,” said Richards.  “Our leader, our captain, was the guy who really took it under his wing and ran with it.  He scored a goal, but he played a great game tonight.”

Nathan Smith led the way for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, opening the scoring 2:24 into the game, by picking the corner on a two-on-one for his sixth goal of the postseason.  He went on to add an assist on the game-winning goal to stretch his point streak to three games.

The Pens carried that slim lead into the second period, but saw the Pirates quickly turn the tide.

Andrew Ebbett evened the score by picking up a Bobby Ryan feed and wristing the puck over a sprawling John Curry at 6:30.

Michal Birner put the Pirates in front at the 13 minute mark.  Matt Christie pushed a pass just in front of a sliding Penguin’s skates, where Birner picked it up and redirected a shot past Curry for the 2-1 advantage.

That lasted all of 49 seconds before Deryk Engelland’s wrister from the point beat Mike McKenna to the far corner.

“It’s just bouncing back after a goal, responding, coming out and working hard,” said Engelland.  “I just shoot.  If it goes, it goes.”

Some smooth passing with less than 30 seconds in the period put the Pens back in front, as Connor James took the tail end of a tic-tac-toe play and beat McKenna with a backhander to make the score 3-2 at the end of two period.

Ben Lovejoy made the score 4-2 by beating McKenna shortside during a third period power play.  The goal was Lovejoy’s first career playoff tally.

“It was a great feeling,” Lovejoy said.  “I got a nice pass, and I don’t know what happened.  I got all of it and was able to beat the goalie.”

Chris Minard nearly made it 5-2 minutes later, but his shot apparently dinged off the post instead of finding twine.  During the next shift, Bobby Ryan used some slight of hand to dance around Curry, but his shot hit off the bottom of the post and trickled away.

Brendan Mikkelson pulled the hosts within one goal with 2:49 to play, but the Penguins were able to hold off a late surge to ensure a Game Six back in Wilkes-Barre.

John Curry picked up his 10th win of the postseason by making 22 saves, while McKenna took the loss with a 17 save performance.

NOTES:  Alain Nasreddine moved into fourth place on the Penguins’ all-time playoff games played list with his 49th appearance for the club.  Eric Melocheis third with 50 games, while Tom Kostopoulos and Shane Endicott rank first at 51…The loss was the first on home ice for the Pirates this season, who are now 6-1 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.