By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack are surrounded by news.

The injuries to Filip Chytil, Adam Fox, and Igor Shesterkin created a serious salary cap problem for Team President and General Manager of the New York Rangers, Chris Drury. In an effort to bank as much money for a rainy day, i.e., the trade deadline (or signing Patrick Kane), the Rangers have been making paper transactions shuffling Jonny Brodzinski, Connor Mackey, and Louie Domingue back and forth between Hartford and New York.

Seth Barton could have been used, but he opted to leave and sign with KooKoo (Finland-FEL).

UCONN gained a recruit commit for next year with a famous New England hockey name. Mason Kesselring started this year with the Lincoln Stars (USHL) and was recently traded to the Fargo (ND) Force (USHL). His father, Casey, was a 1990s-era Hockey East star with Merrimack College (1994-1998). He also had a five-year minor pro career. His brother Michael is with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).

Nico Gross, a Rangers draftee in Switzerland, looks to be staying there after signing a deal with HC Davos (NLA), ending a four-year relationship with EV Zug.

Hockey history with Arizona.

For the first time in 35 years, two “Gordie Howe Hat Tricks,” which is a fight, a goal, and an assist all in one game by players on one team, were recorded.

To add to the oddity, the last time that happened was in Winnipeg when the Jets saw Peter Taglianetti and Andrew McBain accomplish that feat.

In Arizona, it happened with Liam O’Brien and Jack McBain, who is the son of ex-New Haven Senator  Andrew McBain.

After six games with the Orlando Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL), the Syracuse Crunch signs ex-Pack goalie Brandon Halverson.

After four games with the Adirondack Thunder (ECHL), ex-Sound Tiger Yannick Turcotte heads overseas for Ferencvárosi (Hungary-MOL).

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HARTFORD, CT – Howlings has exclusively learned that New York Rangers will announce on Wednesday that the organization, including The Hartford Wolf Pack, has a new ECHL affiliate after an agreement was reached with the Cincinnati Cyclones to replace the departed Jacksonville Icemen.

In 27 years, the Wolf Pack has now had four affiliate locations. They were with the Charlotte Checkers until they moved up to the AHL. They then moved on to the Greenville Road Warriors (now the Swamp Rabbits) before going to the Maine (Portland) Mariners and finally landing with Jacksonville.

There were strong signs that the professional relationship was ending when no contracted Hartford/Ranger players were on the Icemen’s end-of-season roster.

Jason Payne, the head coach of the Cyclones, is one of the few black head coaches in hockey history. His previous record as an assistant and head coach is 83-48-9-4. They didn’t play in 2020-21.

Last year, the Cyclones’ record of 47-16-6-3 (103 points) was the second-best record in the ECHL.

Payne played on one of the six all-black lines in the entire history of hockey.

He skated with the Flint Generals of the old Colonial Hockey League and is the grandfather of today’s FPHL, as Kahil Thomas, Payne, and Nick Forbes skated together.

His playing time took him to four AHL cities, all defunct places the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, Carolina Monarchs, Worcester IceCats, and Saint John Flames. Seven ECHL markets Dayton, Arkansas (Little Rock), Florida, New Orleans, Idaho, Reading, and Wheeling.

Only three are left, Florida, who just won the ECHL Kelly Cup Idaho; Reading, and Wheeling,

In all, between juniors and in his 11-year minor pro career, he played in 28 cities.

Cincinnati’s season-ending roster features ex-Pack, Justin Vaive.

For his last three years, he has been in Cincinnati, known as “The Queen City” since 1819, the first two as an assistant coach. His assistant, for now, is Chad MacLeod, as of now.

Jacksonville’s head coach/GM is Nick Lukko, son of OVG co-chairman Peter Lukko and his brother Max is the GM of another OVG facility in the Mullett Arena, temporary home to the NHL Arizona Coyotes still searching for a permanent one and NCAA Division I independent, Arizona State University Sun Devils.

Jacksonville’s assistant coach is ex-CT Whale Brandon Mashinter

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BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners

PORTLAND, ME – August 2, 2021 – The Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League announced on Monday that they had hired Riley Armstrong as an assistant coach. Armstrong departs as the head coach and assistant general manager of the Mariners after three years, having been named the first head coach in franchise history in February of 2018. The Mariners will announce their new head coach on Tuesday morning.

“I’d like to thank Riley for his hard work and dedication in helping get the Mariners off the ground and leading us to two winning seasons,” said Danny Briere, Mariners President, and Governor. “His track record of moving players to the next level speaks for itself, and his rise to the AHL is well earned. We’re excited to watch his career continue to advance.”

ARMSTRONG RECORD

Armstrong, 36, led the Mariners to a 69-58-5-2 record through their first two ECHL seasons, finishing with winning records each year. In August of 2019, he was promoted to assistant general manager between the first and second season, on top of his duties as head coach. After missing the postseason by just two points in 2018-19, the team was on pace for their first playoff appearance in 2019-20, but the pandemic cut the regular season short and canceled the postseason. The Mariners did not play in 2020-21, but Armstrong helped the team remain active in the community, hosting the Armstrong Skills Competition, which raised over $3,500 for local businesses and non-profits.

Through Armstrong’s time as head coach of the Mariners, many players saw advancements in their careers. Goaltender Connor LaCouvee earned an AHL contract midway through his rookie season of 2018-19. Forward Ty Ronning went from limited AHL ice time to the team lead in the Hartford Wolf Pack goals in 2020-21. Defenseman Sean Day spent the 2020-21 season in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch. Forwards Terrence Wallin, Alex Kile, and Dillan Fox all earned AHL call ups, despite being on ECHL contracts. The same was said for defensemen Zach Tolkinen.

“First, I would like to thank Paul Holmgren and Danny Briere for believing in me and trusting me to hire me as the first head coach of the Mariners,” said Armstrong. “I would also like to thanks the players for wanting to come play in the city of Portland and trusting the process. I’d also like to thank the fans for their support with a brand new franchise and now bigger things to come in the future. My family and I have met so many good people in the city.”

HISTORY

Before becoming head coach of the Mariners, Armstrong was the Assistant Coach for the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers from 2016-18. He delved into coaching immediately following a 12-year playing career, in which he played at all three levels of North American professional hockey and in Europe.

A forward, Armstrong spent most of his playing career in the San Jose Sharks organization. He appeared in two NHL games during the 2008-09 season. Armstrong is very familiar with the AHL, having played 404 career games with the Cleveland Barons, Worcester Sharks, Abbotsford Heat, Grand Rapids Griffins, Binghamton Senators, and Hamilton Bulldogs.

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms are the top affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, based in Allentown, PA. They were previously known as the “Philadelphia Phantoms” and the “Glens Falls Phantoms” until arriving in Allentown in 2014. They recently named Ian Laperriere the fourth head coach in franchise history.

Riley will become the 43^rd active AHL coach (12 head coaches, 31 assistant coaches) to come from the ECHL. There are currently 45 NHL coaches (four head coaches, 41 assistant coaches) with ECHL backgrounds.

GOING TOO

Joining Armstrong in Lehigh Valley is Equipment Manager Jake Rogers, the new assistant equipment manager for the Phantoms. Rogers has been the Mariners equipment manager since 2019 and was the assistant to Mark Riepe (now with the Hartford Wolf Pack) during the Mariners’ inaugural season of 2018-19. Rogers, 29, has a long history of involvement with Portland’s professional sports teams. He was originally a batboy and clubhouse attendant for the Portland Sea Dogs between 2008-2010. He became involved with Portland pro hockey when he served as a locker room attendant for the Portland Pirates in the 2009-10 season. The Mariners have already filled Rogers’ position as well.

The Mariners will announce their new coaching staff on Tuesday morning.

The Mariners are now proud affiliates of the Boston Bruins and begin their 2021-22 season, presented by Hannaford To Go on October 22^nd, with the home opener against the Worcester Railers, sponsored by Skowhegan Savings. The full schedule can be found here. Full season, half-season, 12-game mini-plans, and 10-ticket flex plans, as well as group tickets, are available now. Single-game tickets will go on sale on September 29^th. More information on current ticketing options is available by calling 833-GO-MAINE, emailing mariners-sales@comcastspectacor.com, or visiting MarinersOfMaine.com.

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BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners

PORTLAND, ME – January 25, 2021 – Seven former Mariners players were included in the Hartford Wolf Pack 2021 Training Camp roster, which was released on Monday. Forwards Ty Ronning, Jake Elmer, Ryan Dmowski, defensemen Brandon Crawley and Jeff Taylor, and goaltenders Francois Brassard and Adam Huska were all named to the training camp roster of the Mariners’ AHL affiliate. The Wolf Pack are slated to begin a 24-game schedule on February 7^th.

All seven players played for the Mariners in 2019-20, with all but Dmowski and Huska spending most of the season in Maine. Six of the seven were under contract with either the Rangers or Wolf Pack last season, except Brassard.

Ty Ronning (F), a 7^th round draft pick of the New York Rangers in 2016, has spent parts of the last two seasons as a Mariner. He became an instant fan favorite when he scored a hat trick and notched five points in his ECHL debut on November 24^th, 2018, against the Manchester Monarchs at the Cross Insurance Arena. Last season, Ronning scored 11 goals and added 13 assists in 28 games for Maine. He played 23 games in Hartford as well, with one goal and two assists. Ronning has 61 career AHL games played and 53 in the ECHL – all with the Mariners and Wolf Pack.

Jake Elmer (F) was a rookie last season and was the Mariners All-Star representative. In 36 games, Elmer scored 12 goals with 11 assists. Strangely, Elmer did almost all of his damage against the Adirondack Thunder, scoring nine goals against them, including two hat tricks (November 9^th and December 6^th) and an additional two-goal game (December 7^th). Elmer skated in two games for Hartford in 2019-20, on top of five appearances in 2018-19, after aging out of the Western Hockey League, where he had a breakout season for the Lethbridge Hurricanes (81 points in 68 games). 

Ryan Dmowski (F), a rookie in 2019-20, began the season in Maine but spent most of the year in the AHL. In 12 contests for the Mariners, Dmowski had three goals and four assists. He suited up in 31 games for the Wolf Pack, with four goals and two assists. Like Elmer, Dmowski spent time in Hartford the previous season and played ten AHL games in 18-19. Dmowski came out of the college ranks to join the Wolf Pack, finishing up at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

Brandon Crawley (D), under contract with the Rangers, had a whirlwind 2019-20 season, which began in Maine and ended in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The 2017 fourth-round pick played 38 games for the Mariners last season after two full years in Hartford. For Maine, Crawley had two goals and 10 assists. After skating in nine games for the Wolf Pack, Crawley found himself on the Rangers roster for the Stanley Cup Qualifier round when the NHL resumed its season in August. Crawley did not appear in a game for the Rangers as they were swept out of the postseason by Carolina. Crawley was also in training camp with the Rangers before the start of this NHL season.

Jeff Taylor (D) has spent time in the AHL every season since 2016-17 but played most of 2019-20 with Maine. In 23 games for the Mariners last season – while under contract with the Wolf Pack –  he had two goals and six assists. Taylor got into ten games with Hartford as well. He spent the previous three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, who drafted him in 2014 (round seven). In December, Taylor signed with the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL and has been loaned to the Wolf Pack’s training camp roster.

Francois Brassard (G) hopes to make his AHL debut after spending parts of Maine’s last two seasons. Originally a 2012 draft pick (round six) of the Ottawa Senators, Brassard didn’t make his professional debut until the end of the 2018-19 season with the Mariners. He was the primary back-up netminder for Maine in all of 2019-20, posting a 6-6-1-0 record with a 2.76 GAA and a .908 save percentage in 14 appearances. Brassard’s journey brought him back to the Senators organization for their 2021 training camp, but he lands in Hartford for his next opportunity.

Adam Huska (G) was just briefly a Mariner in 2019-20 but would have potentially spent more time in Portland had COVID-19 not cut the season short. In late January, his first assignment to Maine camp was when he played a pair of games against the Worcester Railers: an 8-1 home win followed by a 2-1 road loss. He again joined the Mariners for the final game of the season – a 3-2 home loss to Norfolk. Huska’s numbers were solid, with a GAA of 2.04 and a save percentage of .943. In Hartford, where Huska spent most of 2019-20, he posted a record of 11-8-9 with a 3.03 GAA and an.894 SV%. Like Crawley, Huska made the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifier roster and the Rangers training camp roster three weeks ago.

Three other former Mariners were named to 2021 AHL training camp rosters. Goaltenders Connor LaCouvee and Chris Nell (2018-19 Mariner) are both on the Tucson Roadrunners roster. Defenseman Sean Day, who signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the summer, is on their AHL affiliate’s roster, the Syracuse Crunch.

The AHL is beginning a shortened season on February 5^th, with teams playing between 24 and 40 games. The Wolf Pack will play all of their games against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Providence Bruins in a modified, three-team Atlantic Division. Their first game is February 7^th at home against Bridgeport.

The Mariners are one of 12 ECHL teams not participating in the 2020-21 season and will return to play for the 2021-22 season. Season ticket packages (full, half, and 12-game mini-plans), along with 10-ticket flex plans, are now on sale, starting at $170. Fans can call 833-GO-MAINE or email mariners-sales@comcastspectacor.com to contact a sales representative. The Mariners online merchandise store has also re-opened, with the latest in Mariners merchandise, at MarinersOfMaine.com/shop.

The post TRUST: SEVEN FORMER MARINERS IN WOLF PACK CAMP first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners

PORTLAND, ME: Here is a recap of key dates and events from the 2019-2020 season.

Mar. 24, 2020 – Regardless of the hockey team one played, worked, or rooted for in 2019-20, it will be a season they’ll never forget. An abrupt end to the ECHL season cut down the Maine Mariners schedule to 62 games and took away what looked to be the first postseason appearance in franchise history. While we’ll never know how the 2019-20 season would have turned out in the end, the second season of Mariners hockey brought many exciting moments to the Cross Insurance Arena and the great hockey fans of Maine. Here are some significant moments that marked the shortened, but a memory-filled season that was.

October 11^th, 2019 vs. ADK: The Mariners open the season at home against the Adirondack Thunder, just as they did in their inaugural campaign. Unfortunately, history repeats itself and the Mariners suffered a 5-2 loss. Taylor Cammarata scores both Maine goals, attempting to bring them back from a 3-0 deficit late.

October 19^th, 2019 @ REA: The Mariners get their first win of the season, spoiling the Reading Royals home opener. Tom McCollum(who would ironically become a Royal later in the season), makes 44 saves, and the Mariners put up 5 goals in a 5-3 victory. This would turn out to be their lone win in Reading for the season.

November 9^th, 2019 vs. ADK: In front of the largest crowd of the season (4,588) on Military Appreciation Night, Jake Elmer nets the first of four Mariners hat tricks, leading the Mariners to a 5-1 win over Adirondack.

November 11^th, 2019 vs. REA: With Gritty in the building, the Mariners defeat the Reading Royals, 4-3 in overtime. Alex Kile scores the game-winning goal just 23 seconds into the extra period, his first goal of the season. Kile would prove to be a clutch OT player for the Mariners all season long.

November 15^th, 2019 vs. BRM: The Mariners honor NHL refereeing great, Maine Sports Hall of Fame inductee, and South Portland resident Wes McCauley, as they defeat the Brampton Beast, 6-3 despite letting a 3-0 lead slip away quickly late in the 2^nd period. The win is the Mariners’ fourth in a row.

November 26^th, 2019 vs. WOR: After losing two of three in Norfolk, the Mariners return home before Thanksgiving to win a wild one in overtime, 5-4 in their first home meeting of the season with the Worcester Railers. Ryan Gropp scores two goals while Kile gets his second overtime winner in the span of 15 days. This turns out to be the final game for Railers head coach Jamie Russell, who is relieved of his duties the following day.

December 6^th, 2019 @ ADK: Jake Elmer registers his second hat trick against Adirondack in less than a month, capping it with the overtime winner to rescue the Mariners, who had blown a 4-1 lead. It was only Maine’s second-ever win at the Cool Insuring Arena but would turn out to be the start of a remarkable Mariners run in Glens Falls.

December 7^th, 2019 vs. ADK: Elmer continues his dominance of the Thunder, scoring the Teddy Bear Toss goal early, and adding his fifth goal of the weekend to later tie the game at 4 in the third period. Ty Ronning’s shorthanded goal is the game-winner and Elmer goes on to win ECHL Player of the Week honors.

December 10^th, 2019 vs. ADK: Francois Brassard makes his season debut and gets the win as Dillan Fox tips home a Brandon Crawley pass in the final minute of overtime to give the Mariners a 3-2 win and a three-game sweep of Adirondack.

December 21^st, 2019 @ ADK: The Mariners finish off back-to-back pre-Christmas 4-3 shootout wins in Adirondack when Taylor Cammarata scores in the fifth round to end it. Each game featured the Thunder tying it up late, but the Mariners getting the shootout bonus point. Maine goes into holiday break in sole possession of the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division and a season-high four games above .500.

January 3^rd, 2020 vs. JAX: The Mariners and the Jacksonville IceMen meet for the first time ever, and Maine rallies from down 3-2 late in the 2^nd to get a 5-3 win. Terrence Wallin’s first career hat trick leads the way as he scores one in each period, including the game-winner in the third.

January 14^th, 2020 vs. WOR: The Mariners snapped a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over Worcester at home. Rookie forward Mikael Robidoux enters the scene, stirring up physical play and drawing the Railers into penalties, ultimately allowing the Mariners to score back-to-back power play goals late in the 3^rd to flip the score in their favor.

January 24^th, 2020 vs. WOR: Returning from the All-Star break after playing eight games in ten days, the Mariners explode for a franchise-best eight goals – three by Ty Ronning. They score three goals in a 58-second span in the 2^nd period to pull away. Adam Huska makes his Mariners debut in between the pipes and makes 43 saves.

January 29^th, 2020 @ ADK: The Mariners win yet again in Glens Falls 3-0, as Connor LaCouvee picks up his third shutout in a span of 10 starts and his second in a row. Their win two nights later makes it six consecutive road victories over Adirondack. The streak goes to seven with another win in mid-February.

February 1^st, 2020 vs. ADK: In a partnership with Agren and Make-A-Wish Maine, the Mariners wear jerseys designed by 11-year-old “Wish Kid” Ellie LaBree, and take down the Thunder, 3-2 in OT. Michael McNicholas scores the golden goal, which improves the franchise’s all-time “extra time” record to 20-3-2 (W-OTL-SOL).

February 7^th, 2020 vs. WOR: LaCouvee makes 45 stops to lead the Mariners to a season-high five wins in a row, squeezing out a 2-1 victory over Worcester. The streak ends the following night, with a 3-2 OT loss to Brampton, but the point streak gets to six.

February 11^th, 2020 vs. BRM: The Mariners salvage the last of a three-game home set with the Brampton Beast when Alex Kile gets his third OT winner of the season with less than a minute remaining. This would turn out to be the final win on home ice for the Mariners in 2019-20.

February 14^th, 2020 @ NFL: The Mariners are on the wrong side of some ECHL history when the Newfoundland Growlers win their 19^th consecutive home game, 5-1. The Mariners fall to 0-5-0-0 all-time at Mile One Centre, but the best is yet to come.

February 15^th, 2020 @ NFL: Morgan Adams-Moisan scores a late power play goal to break a 1-1 tie and end the Growlers’ streak before it can reach 20. Francois Brassard gets his first of consecutive wins in between the pipes as the Mariners go on to take three in a row in St. John’s, becoming the first team to ever do so against the Growlers.

February 26^th, 2020 @ REA: The Royals crush the Mariners, 8-0, the largest margin of defeat in franchise history. The Mariners play the game with just four defensemen due to injuries and the last moment illness to captain Zach Tolkinen.

February 28^th, 2020 @ WHE: The franchise’s first trip to Wheeling marks a homecoming for Mariners Head Coach Riley Armstrong, who was an assistant for the Nailers from 2016-18. Terrence Wallin scores a pair – including the beneficiary of a Nailers’ “own goal,” and Greg Chase scores the game-winner in the 3^rd. This becomes Maine’s final victory of the season.

March 10^th, 2020 vs. NOR: The fateful final game of the season, unbeknownst to anyone. The Mariners battled back from a pair of one-goal deficits but Norfolk’s J.C. Campagna scores on a breakaway with 2:05 left to hand the Mariners a 3-2 loss. The final goal of the Mariners’ season belongs to Cumberland native, Ted Hart.

The Mariners’ final record will read 32-26-3-1. They went 16-15-2-0 on home ice and 16-11-1-1 on the road (they had only 15 road wins in all of 2018-19). When the season halted, the Mariners were 11 points ahead of Adirondack for the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division, and three points behind Brampton for third place. They had seven games remaining with Worcester, two with Adirondack, and one with Reading.

CLICK HERE for a video recap of the 2019-20 season!

2019-20 Records:

Overall: 32-26-3-1
Home: 16-15-2-0
Road: 16-11-1-1
vs. ADK: 12-4-0-0
vs. WOR: 7-2-1-1
vs. NFL: 5-6-0-0
vs. BRM: 3-2-2-0
vs. REA: 2-6-0-0

The Mariners used 42 different players this season: 23 forwards, 15 defensemen, and 4 goaltenders.

2019-20 Team Leaders:
Points: Alex Kile (51)
Goals: Terrence Wallin/Dillan Fox (23)

Assists: Alex Kile (35)
Games Played: Michael McNicholas (60)
PIM: Mikael Robidoux (80)
PPG: Terrence Wallin/Dillan Fox (5)
SHG: Michael McNicholas (2)
GWG: Terrence Wallin (7)
Wins: Connor LaCouvee (20)
GAA: Connor LaCouvee (2.75)
SV%: Connor LaCouvee (.915)

Notable League Ranks (Individual):
Terrence Wallin – T-2^nd, game-winning goals (7)
Alex Kile – T-2^nd, longest road point streak (12 games, 11/22/19-1/7/20)
Connor LaCouvee – 4^th, saves (1060), 4^th, shootout SV% (.833), 13^th, GAA (2.75)
Ryan Culkin – 16^th, points by a defenseman (33)

Notable League Ranks (Team):

Team, shorthanded goals against – T-3^rd (4)
Team, penalty kill – 6^th (83.7%)
Team, road penalty kill – 6^th (85.5%)

The post KEELEY: MARINERS WEEKLY: 2019-20 SEASON RECAP first appeared on Howlings.

Worcester scores three unanswered to rally past Maine

BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners 

PORTLAND, ME – March 8, 2020 – Drew Callin scored a highlight-reel game-winner at 4:27 of overtime to give the Worcester Railers a 3-2 win over the Maine Mariners on Sunday afternoon at the Cross Insurance Arena. The Railers rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the game to earn just their second win all-time in Portland. The Mariners magic number to clinch a playoff spot fell to 10 by their gaining of a point in the standings.

The Mariners led 2-0 at the end of one thanks to goals from Matt Nuttle and Dillan Fox. Nuttle’s goal opened the scoring at 9:49 and was made possible by a great play from Conner Bleackley, who batted a puck out of the air and swung it from the bottom of the right circle to Nuttle on the back door with an empty net. Fox’s goal was quite impressive as well, as he stickhandled down the slot and tucked one in around the pad of Evan Buitenhuis in the final minute of the period – a power play goal.

“It was nice to get on the scoreboard,” said Nuttle, whose goal was his first as a Mariner. He had one earlier this season for South Carolina. “It was a great pass [Sturtz] to [Bleackley] and [Bleackley]  back to me so it’s always great to put one in especially on a new team.”

It remained 2-0 until the Railers got on the board midway through the 2^nd. Justin Murray’s slap shot from the left point beat the glove of Connor LaCouvee at 10:09 of period two to make it a 2-1 game. At 11:44 of the third, Tyler Poulsen took one away from Mariners defenseman Jeff Taylor, skated in on a breakaway, and made a backhand move to beat LaCouvee to tie the game at two. Ross Olsson was called for high sticking with 1:35 left in regulation, but the Railers were able to force the game into overtime.

The Mariners were forced onto the kill early in the extra session with a too many men on the ice call, but the penalty kill got through it. At 4:27, Drew Callin protected the puck, did a full circle in the zone, and beat LaCouvee’s glove with a backhand to end the game. Worcester had not won a game at the Cross Insurance Arena since November 30^th, 2018.

Buitenhuis stopped 30 shots to earn the win while LaCouvee made 28 stops.

The Mariners are home again Tuesday at 7 PM to take on the Norfolk Admirals in the final non-divisional game of the year. Next weekend they have a home-and-home with the Railers – Friday at Worcester and Saturday at 6 PM at the Cross Insurance Arena. It’s “Beacon’s Birthday Bash,” and the first 1,000 kids in attendance 12 and under will receive a Mariners’ travel toothbrush. Groups of 10 or more can get discounted tickets 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. All Saturday and Sunday home games also feature the Family Four Pack – four tickets, four food and drink vouchers, and four Mariners beverage koozies, starting at $80, and must be purchased in advance.

The post KEELEY: MARINERS MAGIC NUMBER DROPS TO 10 WITH OT LOSS TO WORCESTER first appeared on Howlings.

Mariners can’t make a fifth comeback, fall at home to league’s best team

BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners 

PORTLAND, ME – March 1, 2020 – The Mariners battled back from four one-goal deficits but never led, and ultimately fell 6-4 to the South Carolina Stingrays on Sunday afternoon at the Cross Insurance Arena. Steve Whitney scored two goals plus an assist for South Carolina while Jeff Taylor facilitated the Mariners offense with three assists.

The first three goals of the game came in the final five minutes of the first period. Whitney ripped a wrister past the glove of Connor LaCouvee at 15:04 to make it 1-0 Stingrays. Michael McNicholas tied the game at 17:24 with a nice shot inside the post, but the Stingrays took the momentum back quickly with a Tim Harrison shorthanded goal at 19:14, finishing a net drive from Andrew Cherniwchan. It was 2-1 ‘Rays after one period.

The second period was rather chaotic, as each team scored three times. Terrence Wallin tipped a power play shot from Alex Kile past Parker Milner just 21 seconds into the frame to tie the game at two. Alec Marsh put the Stingrays back ahead at 3:05, only to be answered by a Dillan Fox power play tally at 8:32. Kile’s drive once again made the play, with Jeff Taylor picking up an assist on each of Maine’s first three goals. The Stingrays got a power play goal of their own at 10:52 from Matthew Weis, which was answered 21 seconds later when Andrew Sturtz backhanded a rebound from a McNicholas shot under Milner’s stick. Whitney would score his second goal of the game off a broken zone entry at 16:21 to restore the South Carolina lead heading to the third.

The lone goal of the third came from Cherniwchan on the power play at 8:54 to bring the game to a 6-4 final. Milner earned his 20^th win with 26 stops. LaCouvee stopped 25 in the loss. Due to the Reading Royals’ win at Worcester, the Mariners fell seven points out of 2^nd place, but remain four ahead of the idle Brampton Beast for third and still ten up on Adirondack for a playoff spot, with a “magic number” of 17 points.

The winner of the Captain Joel Barnes Community Service Award, announced during the second intermission, was Matthew St. Pierre of the Hampden Fire Department. Today marks the one year anniversary of the tragic passing of the Berwick fire captain.

The Mariners host Reading on Friday, March 6^th for “80s Night/Throwback Night,” presented by Partner’s Bank. The Mariners will wear vintage AHL Mariners jerseys with the orange, white, and black color scheme, which will go on auction via Handbid, starting March 2^nd and running until the end of the 3^rd period on Friday. It’s also a 1-2-3 Friday: $1 Aquafina, $2 Pepsi products, and $3 Bud Lights through the start of the 2^nd period. Throwback Weekend continues on Sunday, March 8^th with “I Love the 90s” against Worcester at 3 PM, also featuring a postgame full-team autograph session.

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. All Saturday and Sunday home games feature the Family Four Pack – four tickets, four food and drink vouchers, and four Mariners beverage koozies, starting at $80, and must be purchased in advance of game day.

The post KEELEY: MARINERS FALL TO SOUTH CAROLINA IN SEE-SAW AFFAIR first appeared on Howlings.

Wallin gets two, Chase finds game-winner, LaCouvee sharp in 3-2 win

BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners 

WHEELING, WV – February 28, 2020 – Greg Chase broke a 2-2 tie at the 13:08 mark of the third period to give the Mariners their first, last and only lead of the night as they defeated the Wheeling Nailers 3-2 on Friday night at WesBanco Arena. Terrence Wallin scored the other two Mariners goals, while Connor LaCouvee earned his 20^th win. The Mariners extended their lead to four points over Brampton for 2^nd place in the North Division playoff race.

At the end of a scoreless first period, Terrence Wallin was called for tripping, giving the Nailers a power play to start the 2^nd. Jan Drogz snuck down backdoor and finished a pass from Barry Almedia at 1:58 of the period to break the scoreless tie. The Mariners remained in a goal drought until the 14:01 mark when the Nailers did them a favor. Defenseman Aaron Titcomb, attempting to wrap the puck around behind his own net, inadvertently shot it past Nailers goaltender Alex D’Orio to tie the game at one. Terrence Wallin, the closest Mariner to the puck, was credited with the goal. The Nailers jumped back ahead at 16:13 when Brandon Hawkins took a pass from Nick Saracino and beat LaCouvee’s glove to make it 2-1. Before the period ended, Wallin struck again, sweeping a puck around D’Orio with one hand on his stick after a Greg Chase shot his the Nailers goalie in the chest. The game headed into the third tied at two.

The Mariners caught a break when Nailers defenseman Matt Abt broke his stick on a point shot, producing a 2-on-1 in the other direction, with Connor Bleackley and Greg Chase entering the zone. Bleackley fed Chase, who one-timed the go-ahead goal past D’Orio to give Maine a 3-2 lead. The Mariners had a chance to add on when Titcomb and Abt took back-to-back penalties, awarding the Mariners a long two-man advantage. Despite failing to score, the 3-2 lead was enough for Connor LaCouvee, who with the help of several key shot blocks in the third, locked down the one-goal win.

The Mariners’ “magic number” to clinch a playoff spot fell to 19 – the combination of points accumulated by the Mariners and failed to gain by Adirondack. Additionally, the Mariners padded their third-place cushion to four points over Brampton, which lost to Worcester.

The Mariners are back home on Sunday to start a four-game homestand, hosting the ECHL-leading South Carolina Stingrays at 3 PM. The ECHL championship trophy, the Kelly Cup will be in the building, and the Mariners will award the Captain Joel Barnes Community Service Award on the one-year anniversary of his tragic passing in the line of duty. Fans are also invited to skate with the Mariners after the game.

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. All Saturday and Sunday home games feature the Family Four Pack – four tickets, four food and drink vouchers, and four Mariners beverage koozies, starting at $80, and must be purchased in advance of game day.

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BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners 

READING, PA – February 26, 2020 – The Reading Royals offense overwhelmed the Maine Mariners on Wednesday night at Santander Arena, scoring six goals in the second period and adding two more in the third for an 8-0 victory. Royals forward Max Willman put up five points while former Mariner Tom McCollum registered a 21 save shutout.

The first period was scoreless, with the Mariners enjoying a pair of power play opportunities. Connor LaCouvee was sharp, making ten saves in the frame. Goals came fast and furious for the Royals in the 2^nd, as they scored six times in the first 12 minutes. Hayden Hodgson broke the scoreless tie at 1:05 and then assisted on Max Willman’s goal at 4:27 to make it 2-0. Hodgson and Willman each had four points (1 goal, 3 assists) in the period. Goals by Garret Cockerill and Thomas Ebbing chased LaCouvee at the 7:24 mark as the Mariners called timeout. Francois Brassard then allowed goals to Corey Mackin (8:50) and Matthew Strome (PPG – 12:00), giving Reading a big lead at the end of two.

Early in the third, Pascal Laberge scored on a breakaway to make it 7-0, beating Brassard’s glove. Former Mariner Lewis Zerter-Gossage scored his first goal as a Royal with exactly one minute remaining to cap the scoring.

McCollum’s shutout was his second of the season and ECHL career while LaCouvee was saddled with the loss, making 13 saves on 17 shots. Brassard went 12 for 16. With Brampton’s morning loss to Toledo, the Mariners retained a two-point advantage on third place, as they fall four points behind the second-place Royals.

The Mariners head onto Wheeling, WV to take on the Wheeling Nailers Friday at 7:05 PM. They’re back home on Sunday to host the ECHL-leading South Carolina Stingrays at 3 PM. The ECHL championship trophy, the Kelly Cup will be in the building, and the Mariners will award the Captain Joel Barnes Community Service Award on the one-year anniversary of his tragic passing in the line of duty. Fans are invited to skate with the Mariners after the game.

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. All Saturday and Sunday home games feature the Family Four Pack – four tickets, four food and drink vouchers, and four Mariners beverage koozies, starting at $80, and must be purchased in advance of game day.

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BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners 

PORTLAND, ME – Feb. 24, 2020 – It’s been a major grind for the Mariners through the first two months of 2020. After playing 15 games in January, the Mariners will wind down their 14-game February with two this week – and a third on Sunday to open March. 2020’s third month will provide some relief – with a total of 11 games, seven of which are at home, and nine of which are played in New England (Portland or Worcester). The Mariners sit third in the North Division, ten points up on a playoff spot, in a sandwich between second and fourth place, with a two-point buffer in each direction. Sunday afternoon begins a big four-game homestand and features an appearance by the Kelly Cup and the honoring of a local hero.

The week that was

Tues, Feb. 18^th – MNE: 2, NFL: 1

For as good as Francois Brassard was on Saturday, he was even better Tuesday, making 34 saves to help the Mariners take back-to-back games in Newfoundland. Aaron Luchuk, who would be traded the following day, scored the lone first-period goal for the Growlers before Greg Chase tied it up in the 2^nd period. Terrence Wallin netted his team-leading seventh game-winner midway through the third. FULL GAME RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS

Weds, Feb. 19^th – MNE: 5, NFL: 2

Despite giving up the first goal of the game for the third time in four contests at Mile One Centre, the Mariners jumped on Growler goalie Maxsim Zhukov with three in the first from Conner Bleackley, Dillan Fox, and Alex Kile – Kile’s goal coming on a 5-on-3. Newfoundland got the game back to a one-goal margin in the third but Kile scored again to restore the two-goal lead. Ryan Culkin’s empty netter capped off the third win in a row at Mile One Centre – a first for a visiting opponent in Growlers franchise history. FULL GAME RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS

Sat, Feb 22^nd – MNE: 2, ADK: 1

The Mariners continued a stellar run defensively, keeping their opponent to two or fewer goals for the fifth game in a row, as goals from Bleackley and Kile were enough for Connor LaCouvee. The Thunder didn’t score until midway through the third period when Mike Szmatula banked one off LaCouvee’s back from below the goal line. The Mariners win in Glens Falls was their seventh in a row, and they improved to 12-4-0-0 overall against the Thunder this season. FULL GAME RECAP

Sun, Feb 23^rd – NFL: 4, MNE: 1

A visibly fatigued Mariners team just didn’t have it from the get-go in their return to Portland after the five-game trip. The Growlers pounced early with a pair of goals before the game was five minutes old and when they took a 3-0 lead through one, the hole was too deep for the Mariners to climb out of. Jeff Taylor scored Maine’s lone goal while Justin Brazeau and Evan Neugold had two points each for a Newfoundland team that snapped a four-game losing streak. The Growlers took a very even season series, 6-5. Over 3,000 fans turned out on a Sunday afternoon for “Miracle Night,” as the Mariners wore 1980 Team USA-inspired uniforms and screen the movie after the game. FULL GAME RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS

Transactions (oldest to most recent)
F LEWIS ZERTER GOSSAGE WAS TRADED FROM THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK TO THE LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS
THE MARINERS ACQUIRED D MATT NUTTLE FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS

This week’s schedule (all times Eastern)
Weds, Feb. 26 @ Reading Royals – 7:00 PM (AWAY)
Fri, Feb. 28 @ Wheeling Nailers – 7:05 PM (AWAY)
Sun, Mar. 1 vs. South Carolina Stingrays – 3:00 PM (HOME) – TICKETS 

The Mariners jump back on the road for a pair of games, Wednesday at Reading and Friday at Wheeling. Wednesday night’s game will be a battle for 2^nd place in the North Division, with the Mariners currently trailing the Royals by two points. Friday’s trip to Wheeling is the first-ever in Mariners’ history. The Nailers came to Portland last February and lost to the Mariners, 4-1. All games air on the Mariners Broadcast Network, with pregame coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to puck drop. The radio broadcast streams free on MarinersOfMaine.com/listen or the Mixlr App. A video stream is available on a subscription or pay-per-view bases through ECHL.tv in HD, with the “AWAY” audio option carrying the Mariners broadcast.

On Sunday afternoon, Northeast Charter and Tour Co. presents “Reading Night,” as the Mariners will recognize members of their inaugural “Read with ME” summer reading program. The ECHL’s championship trophy, the Kelly Cup will also be in the building for fans to view and take photos with. During the 2^nd intermission, the Captain Joel Barnes Community Service Award will be handed out to one of three finalists, which were named this past week. Captain Barnes tragically passed away in the line of duty exactly one year ago to the day of the game. The Mariners’ opponent is the South Carolina Stingrays, who currently possess the best record in the ECHL. Puck drop is 3 PM, and fans can skate with the team after the game. Groups of 10 or more can get discounted tickets 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. For all Saturday and Sunday home games, Family Four Packs are available when purchased in advance. Family four packs include four tickets, four food, and drink vouchers, and four Mariners can koozies, starting at $80.

Playoff Picture:

TIEBREAKERS:

1. Non-Shootout Wins (ROW)
2. Goal Differential
3. Head-To-Head points (Adjusted for an equal number of home games)

The Mariners “Magic Number” is calculated by the combination of points gained and points “not gained” by the first non-playoff team (Adirondack). For example, each Mariners win reduces the number by two, and each overtime or shootout loss reduces it by one. Conversely, each Adirondack regular loss reduces the number by two, and each Adirondack overtime or shootout loss reduces it by one. The top four teams in the division make the playoffs, with the top two getting “home-ice advantage” in the first round.

Looking ahead:
The Mariners remain home for the first four games of March. On March 6^th, it’s Throwback Night against the Reading Royals at 7:15 PM presented by Partners Bank, as the Mariners wear original Mariners jerseys with Mariners AHL alumni on hand. Sunday, March 8^th is “I Love the 90s” against Worcester at 3 PM with a postgame full-team autograph session after the game. The full promotional schedule can be found here.

Community Collection:

The Mariners and the Cross Insurance Arena are collecting books for the remainder of the regular season for Ronald McDonald Charities of Maine. Fans who donate three or more books will receive a ticket to a Mariners weekday game. Both children’s and adult’s book donations are welcomed. Items MUST be donated at the Promotions Port to the right of the main security gates. While donations will be accepted at the Mariners office and other Cross Insurance Arena events, fans are not eligible to receive tickets unless the items are donated at a Mariners game.

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