Providence, RI – The Portland Pirates scored the last four goals of the game to take a 4-2 win over their division rival Providence Bruins. The win moves the Pirates into a first place tie atop the Atlantic Division.

The Pirates and Bruins played a scoreless first period with just 13 shots combined. Portland had the 7-6 edge in shots.

In the second period, the Bruins jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Their first goal came 3:07 into the period as Brad Marchand sent a pass across ice to the right circle where Matt Marquardt one timed it past Jhonas Enroth up high. Marquardt's seventh goal of the season was assisted by Marchand and Adam McQuaid.

Just under three and a half minutes later, the Bruins scored again as Jordan Knackstedt cut to the front of the net and put a backhander under the crossbar to beat Enroth. Knackstedt's sixth goal of the season was assisted by Marquardt and Marchand at the 6:29 mark of the second period.

Portland came roaring back though, as a fortuitous bounce cut the deficit to one. Tim Kennedy and Aaron Slattengren battled hard for the puck behind the Providence net and Slattengren finally emerged with the puck. The forward stepped in front and threw the puck through the crease, catching a piece of a defensemen for the tip-in. It was the sixth goal of the season for Slattengren, with the assists going to Tim Kennedy an Tyler Bouck at the 12:08 mark of the second period.

Portland built on that momentum as just 32 seconds later the Pirates tied the game. Derek Whitmore set the puck up at the redline for Felix Schutz who raced into the offensive end with a full head of steam. Schutz's left wing shot was stopped by Providence goaltender Kevin Regan, but the rebound was left in front for Colton Fretter. Fretter blasted a slap shot past Regan from the slot to tie the game. Fretter's 13th goal of the season was assisted by Schutz and Whitmore at the 12:40 mark of the second period. That closed the scoring in the second period, and the Pirates and Bruins went into the third period tied at 2.

The Pirates continued to carry play in the third period and it was again Colton Fretter getting on the board for the Pirates. Fretter took a pass at the top of the left circle and sent a slap shot up high past Regan to give Portland a 3-2 lead. Fretter's 14th goal of the season was assisted by Kenny MacAulay and Zach Tarkir at the 9:57 mark of the third period.

Portland added an empty net goal when Mike Weber won a battle for the puck along the boards in his own end of the ice. Weber banked it high off the glass and watched it roll all the way into the empty net at the other end for his first goal of the season at the 18:26 mark of the final period. Portland's 4-2 win moved the Pirates into a first place tie with the Bruins atop the Atlantic Division.

Portland goaltender Jhonas Enroth stopped 22 of the 24 shots he faced to improve to 18-11-2. Kevin Regan stopped 28 of 31 shots thrown his way and took the loss dropping to 6-5-1 on the season.

Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game: 1. Colton Fretter (POR) 2. Matt Marquardt (PRO) 3. Aaron Slattengren (POR)

Notes: Felix Schutz now has three goals and four assists in six games against the Bruins...Colton Fretter has three goals in six games against Providence after his two goal performance tonight...Tonight was Fretter's fourth game this season with two or more goals...Attendance: 8,333.

The Pirates next game is tomorrow, Saturday, January 31st at 7:00 at the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Fans can follow the Pirates on U.S. Cellular Pirates Radio Network or watch the game LIVE on the internet courtesy of AHL Live by clicking the icon on the left side of the home page. The U.S. Cellular Pirates Radio Network includes the Pirates flagship station, the Bay 1400AM and 1490AM (Portland) and affiliates WEZR 1240 AM (Lewiston-Auburn), WTME 780AM (Rumford) and WKTQ 1450AM (South Paris).