PORTLAND, Maine –– Brendan Mikkelson’s goal at 5:20 of overtime gave the Portland Pirates a 4-3 victory over the Providence Bruins in the third game of the Atlantic Division Finals last night at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Despite the loss, the P-Bruins lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1.

The P-Bruins took the 1-0 advantage at the 4:30 mark of the opening period. Martins Karsums took a shot on net and Pirates goaltender Jean-Sebastien Aubin was there to make the save. The rebound went to Sean Curry at the blue line. He took a shot and the puck was deflected by Pelletier into the net. For Pelletier, it was his fifth goal of the postseason.

In the second period, the Pirates tied the game at one at the 4:31 mark. Bobby Ryan netted his second goal of the playoffs, with Brian Salcido recording the lone assist. Portland took their first lead of the series and game at the 10:19 mark when Geoff Platt tallied his third goal of the postseason.

In the third period, the P-Bruins tied the game at two at the 14:14 mark. T.J. Trevelyan passed the puck to Matt Hunwick and he put a shot on net. Aubin brushed the puck aside, but it went to Petteri Nokelainen, who scored his third goal of the playoffs.

Providence took the lead at the 17:54 mark. The P-Bruins worked the puck in the zone between Jonathan Sigalet and Matt Lashoff. The puck came free in the slot and Karsums was netted his fifth goal of the postseason.

With the goaltender out of the net for the extra attacker, the Pirates tied the game at three with 57 seconds left in regulation. Ryan tallied his second goal of the game with Drew Miller and Andrew Ebbett getting the assists.

Tuukka Rask stopped 21 of 25 shots for the P-Bruins, while Aubin made 26 saves for the Pirates. Pirates

4

P-Bruins

3

Next Game

Tomorrow

at Portland,

4:05 p.m.