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MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - LOWELL, Mass. - David McKee stopped 36 shots to lead the Portland Pirates (33-27-3-9) to a 3-1 victory over the Lowell Devils (35-26-5-6) Friday night at Tsongas Arena.
The Pirates got off to a strong start, jumping out to a 7-2 lead in shots and scoring the first goal of the game. Mike Hoffman scored his 10th of the season at 10:59 to put the visitors on top. The Devils picked up the pressure and after that outshot the Pirates 11-9 in the first.
Portland extended the lead with a pair of goals in the second. Mark Hartigan scored his 28th of the season at 11:05 to make it 2-0, and Ryan Carter lit the lamp on the power play at 16:45 to give the Pirates a commanding lead. Lowell had their chances, outshooting Portland 12-8 in the frame, but McKee continued to play strong.
Lowell got on the board early in the third period, as Mike Pandolfo redirected home a blast by Dan McGillis at 2:09. It was Pandolfo’s fourth of the season, cutting the lead to two goals. McKee took care of the rest, stopping an additional 13 third period shots, including key saves on a late Devils power play in the final minutes. He finished the night with 36 saves, and has allowed just three goals in three starts for Portland since his recall from the ECHL.
David Clarkson returned to the Devils lineup tonight, as he was assigned by New Jersey late in the day. The second-year winger skated in seven games with New Jersey , with 3g-1a-4pts.