KEELEY: TOIVONEN BACKSTOPS MARINERS TO SIXTH STRAIGHT WIN
Toivonen stops 41 as Mariners sweep weekend from Worcester
BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners
PORTLAND, ME – December 29, 2018 – The Mariners won their third game of the week and sixth in a row overall as they defeated the Worcester Railers on the road Saturday night at the DCU Center. Former Boston Bruins goaltender Hannu Toivonen made his Maine debut and turned aside 41 of 42, narrowly missing the first shutout in franchise history.
At 12:43 of the opening period, Morgan Adams-Moisan deflected a Derek Pratt shot behind Railers goaltender Evan Buitenhuis for a 1-0 Mariners lead. Greg Chase doubled the lead at 16:24 when Ty Ronning caused a turnover near the blue line and found him alone in front. Chase has three goals in as many games as a Mariner. Maine led 2-0 at the end of one.
Toivonen was especially good in the second period, stopping 16 Worcester shots while the power play added to the lead at the 16:00 mark when Michael McNicholas cashed a rebound from Scott Savage’s point shot. McNicholas had a second goal waived off late in the third when incidental contact with the goaltender was ruled. With 1:36 to go, the Railers spoiled the shutout bid when Nick Sorkin finished a Woody Hudson pass from below the goal line.
Buitenhuis stopped 22, falling to 0-3-1-1 against the Mariners this season. The Mariners improved to 6-3-0 against Worcester as they won their third straight road game in addition to their six-game overall streak. With Reading’s shootout loss to Newfoundland, the Mariners move into third place in the North. Maine will visit Manchester on Monday at 6:00 PM to close out the 2018 calendar year.
The Mariners are back home next weekend to welcome in the Brampton Beast on January 4th and 5th. Friday, January 4th is another 1-2-3 Friday, while Saturday night is “Throwback Night” featuring original Maine Mariners jerseys and alumni appearances. Tickets can be purchased at MarinersOfMaine.com or by calling 207-775-3458.
