PROVIDENCE Mikko Lehtonens 24th goal of the season gave the Providence Bruins a 4-3 victory over the Portland Pirates last night at the Dunkin Donuts Center.
The P-Bruins also got their goals from Martin St. Pierre, Jeremy Reich and Vladimir Sobotka.
The P-Bruins took a 1-0 lead at the 12:21 mark of the opening period. Jeff Penner had the puck at the right point and worked it down the boards for Sobotka. He passed the puck through the slot to St. Pierre, who tallied his 14th goal of the season.
Providence went ahead by 2-0 at the 18:03 mark on Reichs 18th goal of the season.
Portland pulled within a goal at the 1:04 mark of the second period, while on the power play. Mathieu Darche netted his 20th goal of the season, with Mike Kostka and Felix Schutz recording the assists.
The P-Bruins went ahead, 3-1, at the 12:55 mark, while on the power play. Tuukka Rask sent the puck up the ice for Johnny Boychuk. He sent it into the zone for Sobotka, giving him a breakaway. Sobotka slipped the puck into the net for his 15th goal of the season.
Portland pulled back within a goal at the 15:14 mark, while on the power play. Darche tallied his second goal of the game, with Nathan Gerbe and Marc-Andre Gragnani grabbing the assists.
Portland tied the game at 3-3 at the 12:30 mark of the third period. Mark Mancari netted his 24th goal of the season, while Marek Zagrapan and Zach Tarkir had the assists.
Providence quickly retook the lead at the 13:50 mark. Sobotka held the puck in the corner and sent it to St. Pierre at the right face-off circle. He found Lehtonen backdoor.