PORTLAND – Apparently, Martin Brochu is just as good against the Portland Pirates as he was when he played for them.

The former Pirate netminder made a triumphant return to Portland Saturday, backstopping his Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to a 2-1 victory in front of 3,179 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Brochu, in just his third game in Portland since he was a Pirate, was already scheduled to be inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame. He captured the full limelight by stopping 29 shots and handing the Pirates its second straight loss.

“It was fun,” said Brochu. “It was great to win the game too. It meant a lot to me, the selection. It’s a great honor. This organization did so much for me. So I’m very happy.”

It was just the third win of the year for Brochu, second against Portland this season.

“It’s my second start since Christmas,” said Brochu, who had not won since mid-December. “I wanted to get the win for the team. I wanted to chip in too.”

Though Portland got the early lead on a Mike Souza tip, the Pirates couldn’t build on that, despite having an extended power play from a major penalty.

The Penguins tied it later in the first period and then took the lead in the second.

“At that point to get up 2-0, that’s one of the things we’ve been able to do the last couple of weeks,” said Army, whose club had its nine-game unbeaten streak ended with Friday’s overtime loss. “The last two nights we haven’t been able to do it. That was a critical part of the game. We had some good chances on it, but we didn’t finish.”

The Penguins got the game-winner at 6:19 of the second. Ben Blais wristed a shot from the point. Pirate goaltender Maxime Ouellet struggled for a look with a crowd in front and got bowled over when Penguin Kris Beech was pushed into him. Michel Ouellet backhanded in the rebound with Ouellet out of position.

“Jake (Cutta) pushed Beech into him,” said Army. “We had everything set in front. Jake pushed Beach into him, and that’s why Beech fell onto Max. It was a good non-call.”

The Pirates tried to rally and force overtime. Some late penalties didn’t help Portland’s cause, and the play of Brochu made the comeback even harder.

“He gave us a hell of a performance,” said Wilkes-Barre coach Michel Therrien. “He played well. He played under control. I was pleased with the way he played. It was his night and everybody wanted to make sure that it was his night.”

Portland took advantage of an early power play goal to take a 1-0 lead at 6:26. Josef Boumedienne’s shot from the point was tipped in front by Souza.

Portland had ample opportunity to build on that lead. The Pirates had two power plays, including a five-minute major on Darcy Robinson for high-sticking Andrej Podkonicky. Portland got some quality shots on Brochu. Francois Methot had a bid from the slot that was stopped.

Jason Ulmer and Methot tried to bury a rebound, but Brochu managed to smother the puck.

Minutes after the Pirates extended power play ended, the Penguins tied it. A turnover at the left circle set up Toby Petersen for a wrister inside the left post with 2:22 left in the period.

PIRATES NOTES: Brochu currently holds all but one career record and a number of single season marks for the Pirates. His last game in Portland was the Eastern Conference playoff game that went three overtimes before Saint John won and eliminated Portland in 2001.