Mark Mancari (Photo: Heather Harvey)
Kevin Dineen Post-Game
Mark Mancari Post-Game
Derek Whitmore Post-Game

Paul Byron ignited a four-goal second period with a shorthanded score to help lift the Portland Pirates to a 6-3 win over the Rochester Americans in an American Hockey League game played tonight at HSBC Arena.

Philip Gogulla, Derek Whitmore, Cody McCormick and Kyle Wanvig also scored in the second frame for the Pirates, who improved to 6-10 on the season. Mark Mancari rounded out the Portland scoring, joining Gogulla and McCormick with a goal and an assist in the game. Tyler Ennis added a pair of helpers to the Pirates' cause.

Portland handed the Amerks their second loss of the season, dropping to 11-2-1-0 on the year. Rochester previously had a franchise record-tying, 11-game winning streak.

Jeff Taffe, Jamie Johnson and Chris Taylor scored for the Amerks in the loss.

Rochester led 2-1 after one period. The Pirates carried a 5-2 advantage into the third. Taylor closed the Portland lead to two with a power-play goal midway through the third but Wanvig hit the empty net to ensure the win.

The Amerks out shot the Pirates 26-24 in the game as Jhonas Enroth, re-assigned to Portland earlier in the day, posted the victory. Alexander Salak started for Rochester but was replaced by Chris Beckford-Tseu midway through the second after allowing four goals on 14 shots.

The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game were 1. Mancari; 2. Johnson and 3. McCormick.

The Pirates complete a three-game road trip Sunday afternoon when they head to Bridgeport to meet the Sound Tigers in a 4 p.m. start.