ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania (NEWS CENTER) -- Wayne Simpson scored two goals to aid the Portland Pirates (32-24-5-2) to a 4-2 victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (27-31-4-3) Sunday afternoon at the PPL Center. The win is the Pirates first of March and snaps the eight game losing skid.
Shane Harper and Wayne Simpson gave Portland its’ first two-goal advantage since the game against the Springfield Falcons on February 28th. Kyle Rau carried the puck from the left wing to the front of the net where Harper re-directed his ninth of the season past Jason LaBarbera. Cameron Gaunce was credited with the second assist.
A bad turnover in the Phantoms’ defensive zone lead to a quick series of passes from Rob Schremp to Corban Knight that ended with Wayne Simpson releasing a backhanded shot in for the 2-0 lead.
Rocco Grimaldi padded the lead when he ripped a shot from the right wing side that slid past LaBarbera stick side just over a minute into the second period. Harper received the only assist on the play.
Adam Comrie ended Mike McKenna’s shutout bid when his shot re-directed in off a Pirates defender at 12:16 of the second period. Phil DeSimone and Mark Alt were credited with the assists on Cormie’s fifth goal of the season.
The Phantoms made it interesting at the end of regulation pulling LeBarbera for the extra attacker.
Chris Conner cut the Pirates lead in half with a goal from behind the net with 1:35 remaining in regulation.
Just 0:22 seconds later Simpson put the nail in the coffin when he swatted a failed Phantoms’ clear into the empty net. The unassisted goal was Simpson’s fifth of the season and second of the contest.
McKenna (26-14-5) made 29 stops to claim the victory. He stands two wins shy of tying the franchise record of 79, currently owned by Martin Brochu. LaBarbera (7-13-0) saved 30 shots but takes the defeat.
Portland was 1-for-4 on the power play while Lehigh Valley was unable to capitalize in four attempts.
The Pirates return home to host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Wednesday, at 7 p.m.
