PORTLAND (AP) – Andrej Podkonicky scored two goals and Rastislav Stana made 25 saves as the Portland Pirates kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Worcester IceCats 3-1 Friday.

Colin Forbes notched a pair of assists for Portland.

The Pirates (27-27-13-7) took a 2-0 lead into the second intermission. Podkonicky scored with 17 seconds remaining in the first period and Owen Fussey connected at 12:00 of the second.

Byrne spoiled Stana’s shutout bid when he netted the only goal of the game for the IceCats (33-26-12-3) at 10:46 of the third period.

Podkonicky scored on the power play with 56 seconds remaining to ice the game.

Worcester goalie Curtis Sanford made 24 saves in the IceCats’ loss.

With Lowell’s loss to Hartford, the Pirates gained two points on the their nearest rival for the last playoff berth, and now trail the Lock Monsters 75-74.

AP-ES-04-02-04 2211EST