PORTLAND — The Portland Pirates (27-21-3- 0) narrowly avoided overtime in a 3-2 win against the Hartford Wolfpack at the Cross Insurance Arena on Tuesday night in American Hockey League action.

Tyler Gaudet scored the game- winning goal at 16:20 in the third period, giving Portland a muchneeded win in its first home game since Jan. 23. The Pirates are now 22-0 this season when they score at least three goals in a game.

The Wolfpack drew first blood on a power play in the opening period when Ryan Haggerty found the back of the net, assisted by teammates Chris Bourque and Chris Mueller at 11:15.

Brendan Shinnimin answered at 14:36, taking advantage of a 5- on- 3 power play. Shinnimin was assisted by Evan Oberg and Justin Hodgman.

Portland took the lead late in the period when Phil Lane scored the goahead goal, assisted by Joel Hanley and Eric Selleck at 18:07.

The game was knotted back up at two early on in the second frame when Tyler Brown scored for Hartford, assisted by Chad Nehring and Mat Bodie at 2:48.

The game remained in a deadlock until Gaudet opened it back up for the Pirates, netting the winning goal with under four minutes to play in regulation. Shinnimin and Lane each assisted on the game winner.

Portland outshot Hartford, 34- 12. Pirates goaltender Louis Domingue ( 9- 5- 1) made 10 saves, while Hartford’s Yann Danis (4-4-2) had 31.

The Pirates hit the road on Saturday against the Springfield Falcons ( 7 p. m.) before returning home on Sunday to take on the St. John’s Ice Caps at 3 p.m.