Maine Mariners Clinch First Ever Playoff Berth
April 16, 2022 - ECHL (ECHL)
Maine Mariners News Release
PORTLAND, ME - After the Worcester Railers lost in overtime to Trois-Rivieres on Saturday afternoon, the Mariners needed just one point to clinch a spot in the Kelly Cup playoffs. For good measure, they got two, defeating the Newfoundland Growlers 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday night in the 2021-22 regular season finale. The Mariners will meet the Reading Royals in the North Division semifinals starting Wednesday night at Santander Arena.
Newfoundland grabbed an early lead in the game when Tyler Boland's backhand in tight made it 1-0 just 3:03 into the game. The Mariners immediately responded however, when Mathew Santos ripped a slap shot off the cross bar and in just five seconds into a power play at 3:37. Maine then jumped ahead at 7:11 when Cam Askew drove down the left wing and wristed one past Rylan Parenteau for an unassisted goal.
There was no scoring in the middle frame, but the Mariners killed off over a minute of 5-on-3 against early after Connor Doherty's slashing penalty. The Mariners also came up empty on a pair pf power play chances in the period.
The Growlers tied the game quickly in the 3rd when Derian Plouffe faked a shot and fed Isaac Johnson for a tap-in to make it 2-2 just 37 seconds into the period. With the Mariners on their heels, Zach Malatesta drew Jeremy McKenna into a slashing penalty, giving the Mariners a crucial power play midway through the third. With the man advantage, Nick Master fired a shot that appeared to hit the inside of the net and went under a lengthy review, eventually confirmed a goal to give the Mariners a 3-2 lead at 9:21. The Growlers would respond with a McKenna breakaway goal at 13:31, also on the power play to knot it up at 3 and set up a tense final 6:29 in which the Mariners held off the Growlers to force OT, earn a point, and clinch their playoff spot.
After a scoreless overtime session, Cam Askew and Mathew Santos scored for the Mariners in the shootout while for Newfoundland, Tyler Boland hit the post and Jeremy McKenna was denied by Lekkas. Santos' backhand move in the 2nd round ended the game. Lekkas made 40 saves on 43 shots through overtime.
The Mariners conclude the regular season with a final record of 33-31-5-3, the only team in the North Division to play all 72 games. They open the postseason on Wednesday, April 20th at Reading for Game 1 of the best-of-7 North Division Semifinals at 7 PM. Game 2 will be Friday, April 22nd. Games 3, 4, and 5 (if necessary) will be played at the Cross Insurance Arena on April 28th, 29th, and 30th. Game times, ticket information, and more details to follow.
ECHL Stories from April 16, 2022
- Oilers Fall to Rush in Final Regular Season Game - Tulsa Oilers
- Thunder Announces 2021-22 End of Season Team Awards - Wichita Thunder
- K-Wings Drop Season Finale against Walleye - Kalamazoo Wings
- Gladiators Announce Dates for First Round of 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs - Atlanta Gladiators
- Thunder Ends Season with 4-1 Loss vs. Kansas City - Wichita Thunder
- Iowa Scores Twice in Third But Allen Wins It in OT, 3-2 - Iowa Heartlanders
- Nailers & Komets Gear up for First Round Series - Wheeling Nailers
- Walleye Secure Brabham Cup Title with 9-2 Blowout of Kalamazoo - Toledo Walleye
- Gladiators Falter in Regular Season Finale - Atlanta Gladiators
- Solar Bears Eliminated from Playoffs in 3-1 Loss to Icemen - Orlando Solar Bears
- Fuel Close out the Season with 4-2 Win over Cincinnati - Indy Fuel
- Blades Claim South Division Title in Regular Season Finale - Florida Everblades
- Cyclones End Season with 4-2 Loss in Indy - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Toledo Wins Brabham Cup Title - ECHL
- Growlers Fall 4-3 in a Shootout - Newfoundland Growlers
- Maine Mariners Clinch First Ever Playoff Berth - Maine Mariners
- Fuel Name Duncan Dalmao Head Coach - Indy Fuel
- Lions End the Regular Season with Back-To-Back Wins - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Railers Keep Playoff Hopes Alive in 3-2 Overtime Loss at Trois-Rivières - Worcester Railers HC
- Watts Heads Back to Wichita - Wichita Thunder
- Game Preview: Solar Bears at Icemen, April 16, 2022 - Jacksonville Icemen
- ECHL Transactions - April 16 - ECHL
- Wichita Closes Season Tonight at Home vs. Kansas City - Wichita Thunder
- ECHL Announces Fine, Suspensions - ECHL
- Royals Seek Win at Home for Shot at Brabham Cup - Reading Royals
- Grizzlies Gameday: Star Wars/Fan Appreciation Night at Maverik Center - Utah Grizzlies
- Game Notes: vs Tulsa - Rapid City Rush
- Americans Can Clinch a Playoff Spot with a Win Tonight against Iowa - Allen Americans
- Glads Chase Division Title in Final Regular Season Game - Atlanta Gladiators
- Game Preview: Solar Bears at Jacksonville Icemen: April 16, 2022 - Orlando Solar Bears
- Playoff-Bound Lions Finish the Regular-Season this Afternoon - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Everblades Look to Lock up Division Title in Final Regular-Season Game - Florida Everblades
- Maine Mariners Can Clinch First Ever Playoff Appearance Today - Maine Mariners
- Americans Need Overtime to Beat Iowa - Allen Americans
- Royals Capture Division & Conference Title in OT Win - Reading Royals
- Raabe's Hat Trick Leads Grizz to Division Title - Utah Grizzlies
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