PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Ivan Ciernik scored two goals and Colin Forbes notched five assists as the Portland Pirates routed the Providence Bruins 7-1 Thursday in Game 1 of the American Hockey League Atlantic Division qualifying series. Game 2 in the best-of-three series is scheduled for Friday night at Providence. Game 3, if necessary, will be played Sunday afternoon, also at Providence.

The Pirates scored three power-play goals.

Portland goaltender Maxime Ouellet made 29 saves and extended his overall record this season against Providence to 3-0-1.

Portland grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first period, on Mike Vigilante’s goal at 4:53, Boyd Gordon’s power-play goal at 11:56 and Jason Ulmer’s goal at 18:49.

Ciernik scored at 3:11 and 6:04 of the second period for a 5-0 lead. Providence coach Scott Gordon removed goalie Tim Thomas, who had 12 saves, after Ciernik’s second goal and replaced him with Peter Hamerlik.

Portland scored twice in the third period against Hamerlik, on power-play goals by Alexander Semin at 11:24 and Louis Robitaille at 17:12.

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