MANCHESTER, N.H. — Sean Backman recorded the only goal in the shootout session as the Manchester Monarchs (46-16-6-3) beat the Portland Pirates (37-25-7-2) 3-2 on Friday.
Nick Ebert beat Mike McKenna with a slapshot 3:14 into the first period to give Manchester the early lead, but Portland answered just 1:37 later when Lucas Lessio scored on a power play set up by Brandon Gormley and Tyler Gaudet.
Corey Trivino gave the Pirates the lead with a goal from Dylan Reese with 9:17 left in regulation, but Backman sent the game to OT with just 1:19 left in regulation.
Both teams had power play opportunities in overtime but came away empty.
Despite the loss, Portland’s magic number for a playoff berth fell to five points as Springfield, which is chasing the Pirates for the East’s final postseason berth, fell to Hartford 5-0.
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