Calder Cup: Monarchs fall 3-2 in Portland; Pirates force Game 4

Pirates force Game 4 on Thursday in Calder Cup playoffs

PORTLAND, ME – Francis Wathier scored the game-winning goal with two seconds left in regulation, lifting the Pirates to a 3-2 win on Sunday and forcing a Game 4 in their best-of-five series with the Monarchs.

The Monarchs (2-1) had not trailed at any point in the first two games against Portland (1-2).

Jordan Weal scored his team-high fourth goal of the playoffs. It was his ninth point in 11 postseason games in his career.

The Pirates scored the first goal of the game for the first time this series when Phil Lane deflected home a shot from the point at 14:31 in the first period. It gave Portland its first lead of the series.

Michael Mersch knotted the score at 1-1 when he scored on a five-on-three power play at 19:34 in the first period. It was his third goal in his last two games.

Weal gave the Monarchs a 2-1 lead at 5:28 in the second, when he buried a rebound off Sean Backman’s shot.

Eric Selleck scored his first goal of the playoffs at 12:50 in the second period off a rebound in front of the Monarchs’ goal, tying the score at 2-2.

Wathier netted the game-winning goal with two seconds on the clock, breaking a 2-2 tie.

Game 4 will be played on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. The Monarchs will be looking for their first playoff series win since 2010.

Notes:

• Jordan Weal scored four goals in this series and scored at least once in all three games. He has the most goals on the team this postseason.
• The Monarchs have not won a road game in the playoffs since Game 2 of 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at NOR (5-2).
• The Monarchs went 1-for-7 on the power play tonight and are 3-for-17 (18%) in the series.
  

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