PORTLAND (AP) – Craig Weller scored two goals and Alexandre Giroux had a goal and an assist as the Hartford Wolf Pack beat the Portland Pirates 5-3 Sunday in the American Hockey League.

The victory gave Hartford a 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven Atlantic Division Semifinals.

The Wolf Pack dominated the first period, scoring four times to enter the first intermission with a 4-0 lead.

Dominic Moore netted the first goal of the game at 2:19 and Weller collected his first at 10:07. After Giroux beat goalie Rastislav Stana on a penalty shot at 10:47, Weller connected on a power play with 12 seconds remaining.

Portland outscored Hartford 2-1 in the second period. Pudlick made it 4-1 on the power play at :57, but 26 seconds later, Benoit Dusablon answered for the Wolf Pack. Pudlick notched his second of the game at 8:40.

Boyd Gordon tallied the final goal of the contest for Portland at 8:57 of the third. Mike Pudlick scored twice and added an assist for the Pirates.

AP-ES-04-25-04 1926EDT