Noah Clarke scores the tying goal for Manchester.

PORTLAND (AP) – Noah Clarke scored with 1:58 remaining in regulation to lift the Manchester Monarchs into a 1-1 tie with the Portland Pirates Saturday in the American Hockey League.

The game was a defensive contest between two teams vying for second place in the AHL’s Atlantic Division. The Monarchs (27-21-5-3) retained their precarious hold on second behind the goaltending of Adam Hauser, who stopped 31 of 32 shots on goal.

The Pirates have earned at least one point in 12 straight games and remain in third, one point behind the Monarchs and two ahead of the Worcester IceCats.

Portland goalie Maxime Ouellet had a shutout going through the game’s first 58 minutes and finished the night with 32 saves on 33 shots.

After a scoreless first period, Portland (22-17-10-7) grabbed a 1-0 lead when Jason Ulmer streaked down the left sideboards and beat Hauser with a shot from the left faceoff circle.

Clarke tied it when he took a feed from the left corner and knocked the puck past Ouellet at 18:02.

AP-ES-02-21-04 2214EST