Chase scores both Maine goals in return as Mariners beat Railers in OT
BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners
WORCESTER, MA – March 22, 2019 – In what was their final regular-season trip to Worcester this season, the Mariners topped the Railers 2-1 in OT, coming from behind in the third once again Friday night at the DCU Center. Greg Chase scored both Mariners goals including the overtime winner, the sixth OT or shootout win by the Mariners over the Railers this season.
To open the scoring at 3:43 of the first, Railers defenseman Tyler Mueller led a 2-on-1 and wristed home his 2nd goal of the season past the glove of Chris Nell. After a sluggish start, the Mariners got going in the first, but trailed 1-0, with a 12-9 shot disadvantage after one.
The second period was a little tighter, and neither team found the night. The period was highlighted by a pair of fights, each by Yanick Turcotte on the Railers side, as he dropped the gloves with Ryan Ferrill and later Derek Pratt. The second period shot totals were 8-6 in favor of the Mariners.
Just over eight minutes into the third, the Mariners finally got even. Blake Kessel fed a pass across the top of the zone to his defense partner, Johnny Coughlin at the left-wing circle. Coughlin gathered in the pass and took a shot that Chase redirected inside the post past Mitch Gillam to make it 1-1. The goal went under video review and was upheld. Gillam and Nell, who each played strong games, kept things even through the third.
Although Worcester controlled the puck for most of OT, Chase ended the game at the 3:00 mark, when he batted his own rebound out of midair and behind Gillam. Dwyer Tschantz received the lone assist. Chase’s goals were his team-leading 21st and 22nd of the season. Chris Nell made 30 saves on 31 shots to earn his 14th win of the season. Gillam stopped 28 of 30 in the loss.
The Mariners gained two points on idle Manchester (now ahead by three) and Adirondack (behind by three). They are also now three up on Worcester, which moves into a fourth-place tie with Manchester by gaining a point.
The Mariners next will host Manchester at 3:00 PM on Sunday. It’s Country Night presented by 99.9 The Wolf. The first 500 fans will get a bandanna and concert giveaways will be held during the game including Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, and Old Dominion. Tickets can be purchased at MarinersOfMaine.com or by calling the Trusted Choice Box Office at 207-775-3458.
