Phil Varone scored two goals to lead the Rochester Americans to a 4-3 victory over the skidding Portland Pirates at the Cross Insurance Center on Saturday afternoon.
Portland, which has lost three straight after winning three in a row, is now 3-1 at home.
Varone got the winner five minutes into the third period, his fifth of the season, following assists by William Carrier and Bobby Sanguinetti.
Defenseman Mackenzie Weegar gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead with the only goal of the first period.
Rochester scored three straight goals in the second period, with Justin Bailey and Carrier recording their first goals of the season.
Bailey scored at 8:31 and Carrier followed about two minutes later.
Verone converted a power play with 2:25 left in the period to make it 3-1.
Portland’s Kyle Rau got a goal back with just under two minutes left in the period.
Brent Regner got Portland’s final goal with 2:54 let in the third.
Wayne Simpson and Cameron Gaunce each had two assists for the Pirates
The Pirates outshot the Americans 40-27, including 19-7 in the third period.
Nathan Lieuwen made 37 saves for the win, while Mike McKenna stopped 23 shots for the Pirates.
The Pirates were 0 for 3 on their power-play opportunities and are 1 for 15 in their last four games.
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