KEELEY: (FRI) MARINERS SCORING SLUMP CONTINUES IN 2-1 LOSS TO MONARCHS

Despite 38 shots, Mariners can’t find an equalizer

BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners

PORTLAND, ME – January 25, 2019 – For the first time this season, the Manchester Monarchs won on Cross Insurance Arena ice, as they held off the Mariners 2-1 on Friday night. The Mariners scored just one goal for the second game in a row and have only two in their last three games, all of which have been at home.

All the scoring came in the first period, started by Manchester’s Jack Nevins at 9:17. Cory Ward dashed down the ice and won a foot race against the Mariners defense, setting up Nevins who trailed the play. At 12:25, the Mariners tied the game when Drew Melanson fed Greg Chase for a bullet wrist shot over Monarchs netminder Charles Williams to make it 1-1. The game-winning goal came at 17:27 Drake Rymsha beat Brandon Halverson to a rebound and Nic Pierog jammed it home. The referee initially did not signal for a goal but overturned the call after discussing with the goal judge.

The rest of the game belonged to the goaltenders and penalty kill units, with each team going 0-for-3 on the power play and both netminders making big stops. The Mariners pulled Halverson with just under three minutes to go and got a 6-on-4 with a half-minute remaining but the puck was tied up along the boards as the seconds ticked away. Halverson stopped 32 of 34 and Williams got the win with 37 of 38.

The North Division standings tighten up even more with tonight’s results. With Brampton’s win over Wheeling and Worcester’s defeat of Manchester, this is how things stand:

1. Newfoundland Growlers 27-11-2-0, 56 pts
2. Adirondack Thunder 22-14-3-2, 49 pts
3. Brampton Beast 20-17-3-1, 44 pts
4. Maine Mariners 21-19-0-1, 43 pts
5. Manchester Monarchs 20-18-1-1, 42 pts
6. Reading Royals 17-14-3-5, 42 pts
7. Worcester Railers 18-17-3-2, 41 pts

The Mariners and Monarchs switch venues for the rematch at 6:00 PM tomorrow at the SNHU Arena in Manchester. Maine will finish the 3-in-3 with a 3:00 PM faceoff on Sunday afternoon against the Adirondack Thunder. Tickets can be purchased at MarinersofMaine.com or by visiting or calling the Trusted Choice Box Office: 207-775-3458.