BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners
Jan. 28, 2019 – The new year has been anything but kind to the Maine Mariners, who are now 3-8-0 in the month of January and have seen themselves fall out of a North Division playoff position. Coming off a winless three-in-three, they embark on a Wednesday/Friday road swing, before returning to the Cross Insurance Arena on Saturday night to begin a five-game homestand. The chaos of the North Division has kept them in contention, but as 2019’s first month wraps up, they hope to stop the bleeding this week.
The week that was
Friday, Jan. 25th – MAN: 2, MNE: 1
After winning a 1-0 goaltending duel the previous Friday, three combined goals were scored in the first period this time around. Manchester’s Jack Nevins and Maine’s Greg Chase swapped goals before Nic Pierog broke the tie with a controversial tally late in the period that was (correctly) ruled a goal after the referee conferred with the goal judge. Surprisingly, that was it for the offense, as 2-1 turned out to be the final score. The Mariners won the shot battle, 38-34. FULL GAME RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS
Saturday, Jan. 26th – MNE: 3, MAN: 6
Sam Kurker scored late in the 1st to give Manchester the lead, but Jason Salvaggio tied it up midway through the 2nd. Kurker got a power play goal to put the Monarchs back ahead, but that was answered by Morgan-Adams Moisan. Tied at two entering the third, things unraveled quickly for the Mariners as Manchester struck twice in the first two minutes and never looked back. Spencer Watson had a third-period hat trick as the Monarchs scored a total of three power play goals in the game. FULL GAME RECAP
Sunday, Jan. 27th – ADK: 4, MNE: 2
Ed Minney made his home debut between the pipes, giving Brandon Halverson a breather. Adams-Moisan put the Mariners up 1-0 in the first, but power play tallies by Desmond Bergin and Cullen Bradshaw put Adirondack in the lead. The Mariners had glorious scoring chances on both a 4-on-3 and 5-on-3, but couldn’t finish or gain any puck luck. Bergin’s second of the game and a shorthanded breakaway goal by Connor Riley sealed it. Drew Melanson scored late with the goalie pulled. FULL GAME RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS
Transactions
NO TRANSACTIONS LAST WEEK
Coming up (all times Eastern)
Weds, Jan. 30th @ Reading Royals – 7:00 PM (AWAY)
Fri, Feb. 1st @ Manchester Monarchs – 7:00 PM (AWAY)
Sat, Feb 2nd vs. Adirondack Thunder – 6:00 PM (HOME)
The Mariners visit Reading for just the second time this season on Wednesday night. The Royals are one point up on the Mariners in the North Division and have also struggled lately, with just 3 wins in their last 10. It’s off to Manchester on Friday where the Mariners will look to avenge this past weekend’s sweep. The Mariners are 2-3 at the SNHU Arena vs. 4-1 against the Monarchs in Portland. Manchester has moved all the way up to third in the North after a 3-0-0 weekend. Friday is also the “ECHL.TV Showcase” game, airing for free via Facebook Watch on the ECHL Facebook Page.
Saturday night at the Cross Insurance Arena is “Women in Sports Night,” presented by the Maine Sports Commission, with the puck dropping at 6 PM against the Adirondack Thunder. The first 2,000 fans will receive a grocery tote, presented by Townsquare Media. Fans can purchase a special ticket package that includes pre-game talks from guest speakers Kristina Sabasteanski, April Fournier, and Kirsten Beverley-Waters by calling Molly Brenerman at 207-761-4363 or emailing molly_brenerman@comcastspectacor.com. All Saturday night games feature a “Family Four Pack” deal as well.
Fun Facts/Notes:
-The Mariners’ three-game losing streak is their first since Oct. 26th-Nov. 2nd. It’s their first three-game point-less streak since the first three games of the season (Oct. 13th – 20th)
-With his two goals this weekend, Morgan Adams-Moisan is now the sole team leader with 15, passing Alex Kile’s 13 (Kile is currently on loan to AHL Laval Rocket). All 15 of Adams-Moisan’s goals have come in a 22-game span, dating back to Nov. 28th.
-After this weekend, five of the Mariners’ next six games will come against non-division opponents (Cincinnati, Greenville, Wheeling, and Norfolk X 2). The Mariners have played only one non-division game this season – a 6-3 home win over Orlando on November 14th. They have a total of 11 from now until the end of the season.
