BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners
PORTLAND, ME – Nov. 12, 2018 – The Mariners (5-5-0-1) had a perfect week, gaining six of a possible six points in a three-game clean sweep of Reading and Worcester. The successful span moved them up two spots on the North Division ladder and put them in a position to occupy a playoff spot by the time turkey is served next week. Before a pivotal series in Brampton over the weekend, the Mariners welcome the Orlando Solar Bears to town on Wednesday for their first interdivisional game of the season. After the holiday, the fur will fly for Teddy Bear Toss night!
The week that was
Weds, Nov. 7nd – MNE: 4, REA: 2
The Mariners picked up their first road win in franchise history in their first visit to Reading. Rookie defenseman and Rangers product Sean Day made his ECHL debut and had a three-point night, scoring his first two professional goals – the first and last of the game, plus adding an assist. Ryan Ferrill’s second-period power play goal was also the first of his pro career and turned out to be the game-winner. In net, Chris Nell made 32 saves, including a miraculous diving stop to rob Reading’s Jack Riley of the potential tying goal in the first period. FULL GAME RECAP
Fri, Nov. 9th – MNE: 3, WOR: 2/OT
Despite playing a dominant first period, the Mariners found themselves down 1-0 after one period as Worcester’s Barry Almeida scored the only goal. Terrence Wallin and Alex Kile scored in the second period, while Dylan Willick found the back of the net for Worcester, setting the stage for a fantastic finish. The game advanced beyond regulation and Shawn St-Amant ended it just 29 seconds in. St-Amant’s celebration involved him skating straight off the ice after scoring, for a “walk off” of sorts. Brandon Halverson got his first win in net. FULL GAME RECAP
Sat. Nov. 10th – MNE: 3, WOR: 1
As the Mariners honored our military and wore Captain America jerseys, over 5,000 fans witnessed the Mariners hand the Railers their seventh loss in a row. Barry Almeida and Scott Savage traded goals in the opening period and it wasn’t until the sixth minute of the third period that Michael McNicholas broke the tie with his first professional goal. Ryan Culkin added a long empty-netter to seal Halverson’s second win in a row. FULL GAME RECAP
Transactions
-The Mariners claimed F Colin Jacobs off waivers and traded him to the Kalamazoo Wings for future considerations
-F Hayden Verbeek was reassigned by the Montreal Canadiens to the AHL’s Laval Rocket
Coming up
Weds, Nov. 14th vs. ORL – 7:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 16th @ BRM – 7:15 PM
Sat, Nov. 17th @ BRM – 4:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 24th vs. MAN – 6:00 PM
The meeting with Orlando marks the first non-divisional game in Mariners history. The Solar Bears are currently 2nd in the South Division, with a record of 7-3-1-0. They are currently on a seven-game point streak. The Brampton Beast currently hold down the 4th and final North Division playoff spot and sit just two points ahead of the Mariners. They lost a high-scoring affair at home to Western Conference-leading Toledo, 8-6 on Sunday.
After Thanksgiving, the Mariners will host Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday, November 24th with Manchester in town. Fans are asked to throw stuffed animal donations onto the ice after the Mariners first goal. Half of the collected stuffed animals will be donated to Toys for Tots. The other half will benefit local children’s charities. In addition, the first 2,000 fans through the gate receive a Mariners winter hat (beanie).
Mariners Holiday Packs are now on sale! There are three options to choose from Blizzard, Flurry, and Snowflake. Early bird pricing is available through November 26th. Fans can call the Mariners business office at 833-GO-MAINE to purchase.
