SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – Ryan Carter, Brian Salcido and Matt Keith scored second-period power-play goals in a span of 2:44 Friday night to spark the Portland Pirates to their third straight victory, a 4-2 American Hockey League triumph over the Springfield Falcons.

Springfield pulled to within one goal, 3-2 when P.J. Atherton scored from the point at 6:37 of the third period. But Mark Hartigan scored an unassisted goal at 13:16 to give the Pirates a 4-2 lead.

Portland (28-22-3-8) moved to a 3-1 second period lead with its three power-play goals – two during a major high-sticking penalty to Marek Kvapil. Keith beat Karri Ramo from the slot at 9:45 to provide the Pirates with a two-goal edge. Salcido scored on a drive from the point past Ramo at 8:52. Carter tied the score at 1-1 at 7:06 when he tipped Salcido’s shot past Ramo.

Daniel Corso scored a power-play goal at 6:53 of the first period to give Springfield (24-37-1-2) a 1-0 lead. Gerald Coleman, a former Falcon facing his old team for the first time, stopped the initial shot by Matt Smaby, but Corso poked in the rebound.