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Portland digs an early 2-0 hole, bounces back to tie the game, then loses to Worcester in overtime.

By PAUL BETIT, Staff Writer December 23, 2007

Defenseman Dan Spang scored from the left point 2:40 into overtime to lift Worcester to a 4-3 victory over the Portland Pirates before a crowd of 4,387 at the Cumberland County Civic Center Saturday night.

While the winning goal came in overtime, the seeds to the Pirates' downfall were planted in the first 10 minutes of the game when they fell behind by two goals.

"We didn't respond very well in the first part (of the game)," Portland Coach Kevin Dineen said. "Obviously, we had a lot better second period. But you dig yourself a hole making mistakes that we know better than to make."

Still, the Pirates salvaged a point to pull into a tie with Springfield for third place in the AHL Atlantic Division.

It was the fifth win in six games for Worcester, which had a four- game win streak snapped Friday night with a 3-2 loss to the Pirates.

"We've been on a roll lately, and (Friday) night I thought we deserved a better fate than what we got," said Worcester captain Graham Mink, who spent three seasons with Portland when the franchise was affiliated with the Washington Capitals. "Not to take away anything away from them. They played well and they beat us.

"(Saturday night), we wanted to come back and play better in the first period and we did that. They battled back. They're a good team."

Defenseman Patrick Traverse, who assisted on Spang's goal, opened the scoring 5:54 into the game when he got his stick on the rebound of his shot and sent the puck past goalie Gerald Coleman from just to the right of the right hash mark for his fourth goal.

The score came during a quick transition after Traverse intercepted a clearing pass just inside the blue line and immediately put a shot on goal.

Less than three minutes later, Nate Raduns sent a shot from the middle of the left circle between Coleman's pads for his sixth goal.

The Pirates pulled into a tie less than seven minutes into the second period. A minute in, Petteri Wirtanen swept a rebound into the left side of the net for his fourth goal after Taylor Dakers stopped shots by Andrew Ebbett and Brian Salcido.

Salcido scored his eighth goal at 6:42 on a shot from near center point. It was his seventh power-play goal, tops in the AHL.

Worcester regained the lead with 3:32 left when Mike Igguiden got his team-high 14th goal.

Ebbett tied the game with a power-play goal.

NOTES: Balloting has begun for the Portland Pirates Hall of Fame. Candidates include forward Mike Boback, goalie Jim Carey, forward Chris Jensen and forward Darren McAusland. Fans can vote by visiting www.portlandpirates.com.

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 725-8795 or at: pbetit@pressherald.com