The Hershey Bears earned a 3-1 victory over the Portland Pirates in Game 2 of the American Hockey League Calder Cup playoffs Saturday Night at Cross Insurance Arena.

With the win Hershey tied the best-of-five series at a game apiece.

Garrett Mitchell gave Hershey its first lead of the series 1:41 into the second period. Aaron Ness and Zach Sill collected an assist each.

Sena Acolatse put in his first of the playoffs with 1:58 left in the second period for Portland to tie it. Connor Brickley won puck battle behind the net before sending it out front to the defenseman. Acolatse cut in from the right point and released the one-timer behind Justin Peters knotting the game 1-1.

Hershey regained the lead early in the third period on the power-play goal after Rob Flick was called for cross-checking. Riley Barber rang the rubber off the far post before it dropped behind Mike McKenna, giving Hershey the 2-1 lead. Christian Djoos and Travis Boyd collected the assists on the play.

Jakub Vrana put away a McKenna rebound, giving the Bears a 3-1 lead at 8:07 of the third period. The goaltender made the initial save on a Carter Camper shot, but Vrana was able to tuck the puck inside the post for the 3-1 final.

McKenna made 21 saves. Peters stopped 31 shots.

The Pirates head to Hershey for games three, four and if necessary, five. Game three is set for Thursday at 7 p.m.

Friday night

Shane Harper scored two goals as the Pirates picked up a 6-4 win over Hershey in the series opener.

Portland led 2-0 early on a goal each from Kyle Rau and Rob Schremp. Hershey cut the lead in half, but Brett Olson made it a 3-1 contest late in the opening frame.

Leading 3-2, Harper and Schremp beat Hershey netminder Dan Ellis, giving Portland a 5-2 edge.

Hershey made a run, closing to 5-4 on two goals by Tyler Lewington, the second coming with 4:46 remaining in regulation.

But, Harper closed things out with a powerplay goal.

McKenna made 28 saves in the win.