KEELEY: MARINERS KEPT OFF BOARD IN HOME LOSS TO READING 

Sandstrom posts 23 save shutout to blank Mariners

BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners

PORTLAND, ME – December 27, 2019 – Felix Sandstrom posted his second shutout of the season, stopping all 23 Mariners shots on Friday night in a 5-0 Reading Royals victory at the Cross Insurance Arena. Offensively, Brayden Low led the way with three assists, and Luke Stork and Thomas Ebbing had a goal and an assist each. The Mariners fell for just the second time in December.

An energetic opening period failed to posit a goal, as Sandstrom and Francois Brassard stopped everything that came their way. The Mariners won the first period shot battle 10-6.

The Royals grabbed a 3-0 lead with a quick burst of offense in the middle stages of the second period. It all started at 7:23 when Trevor Yates went to the net and was able to free up his stick to lift a shot over the shoulder of Brassard. At 10:05, former Mariner Luke Stork dropped a pass to Thomas Ebbing off a rush and Ebbing blasted a one-timer home past Brassard’s stick side to double the lead. Alex Kile missed the net on a glorious set up by Terrence Wallin shortly after Ebbing’s goal, and defenseman Jeremy Beaudry would make it 3-0 at 12:08.

Exactly three minutes into the third, Stork drove down the slot and put home a rebound produced by Ebbing to make it a 4-0 Reading advantage. Defenseman Rob Michael one-timed home a loose puck at 14:07 to stretch the lead to 5-0.

Brassard stopped 25 of 30, suffering his first loss of the season.

The Mariners finish 2019 on the road in Worcester tomorrow night and New Year’s Eve at Reading. They return to play five of their first six games of 2020 at the Cross Insurance Arena. Friday, January 3^rd against the Jacksonville Ice Men is a 1-2-3 Friday, featuring $1 Aquafina water, $2 Pepsi products, and $3 Bud Lights through the start of the 2^nd period. It’s also Bath Savings night, with puck dropping at 7:15 PM. Saturday, January 4^th is “Hockey Day in Maine” featuring a doubleheader that begins with the University of Maine men’s hockey team hosting the University of Nebraska-Omaha at noon. The Mariners and Jacksonville follow with a game at 6 PM. Hockey Day in Maine packages are available at MarinersOfMaine.com which include discounted tickets to both games plus special Hockey Day in Maine collectibles. It’s also “Witchcraft and Wizardry Night.”

Groups of 10 or more can get discounted tickets to all games by calling 833-GO-MAINE. Individual tickets can be purchased at MarinersOfMaine.com, at the Trusted Choice Box Office inside the Cross Insurance Arena, or by calling 207-775-3458. Four tiers of holiday packs for all gift-giving budgets are also available at MarinersOfMaine.com/shop.