Mariners Inch Closer to Playoff Spot But Fall in Reading
March 29, 2019 - ECHL (ECHL)
Maine Mariners News Release
READING, PA - A desperate Reading Royals team fighting for its playoff lives, scored six unanswered goals after falling behind 1-0 early and cruised to a 6-2 win over the Maine Mariners on Friday night at Santander Arena. The Mariners lost their second straight game in regulation for the first time since February 8th and 9th.
Zeb Knutson, recently claimed forward off waivers from Indy, made his presence felt immediately when he scored on a breakaway just 2:15 into the game. Dillan Fox caught the Royals making a chance and spotted Knutson for a clean break from the attacking blue line in. Knutson beat the glove of Jamie Phillips to make it 1-0 Mariners. Reading got even at 8:22 of the period onCorey Mackin's first professional goal, set up from below the goal line by Adam Schmidt. Late in the period, Jacob Graves got a shot from the blue line through Chris Nell to give Reading its first lead. Shots were even at 12 with the Royals leading 2-1 at the end of one.
As the teams traded chances early in the 2nd period, Adam Schmidt deflected a puck on its end and rolled it across the goal line to make it 3-1 Royals at 4:58. At 10:36, Michael Huntebrinker attempted to feed Alex Roos driving through, but was credited with the goal instead of the assist as the puck deflected past Nell for Reading's fourth straight goal. The Royals held a comfortable 4-1 lead through two periods.
Tyler Brown and Matt Pohlkamp added to the Reading lead in the third making it 6-1, chasing Nell in favor of Francois Brassard. Dillan Fox was set up by Nick Master and Dwyer Tschantz at 14:41 for the Mariners' 2nd goal. Phillips played well, stopping 36 of 38 for the win.
The Mariners magic number to clinch a playoff spot did drop to 10 points thanks to Adirondack's win over Brampton. Manchester also fell in Newfoundland, keeping Maine three points behind the Monarchs with two games in hand. The Growlers clinched the North Division regular season title with their win.
The Mariners travel to Glens Falls for a meeting with Adirondack on Saturday at 7:00 PM, followed by a home game against the Thunder Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM. A screening of D2: The Mighty Ducks will immediately follow the game on the video board, free for all fans who purchase tickets to the game. Tickets can be purchased at MarinersOfMaine.com or by calling the Trusted Choice Box Office at 207-775-3458.
ECHL Stories from March 29, 2019
- Steelheads Take Dramatic 4-3 Shootout Win over Rush - Idaho Steelheads
- Keeping It 100: Florida Tops Norfolk to Clinch Eastern Conference - Florida Everblades
- Fuel Edge Wings in Shootout to Win Third Straight on Home Ice - Indy Fuel
- Third Period Vaults Swamp Rabbits to Victory - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Two Points from Somppi Not Enough for Solar Bears - Orlando Solar Bears
- Thunder Knocks off Oilers, 3-1 - Wichita Thunder
- Olivieri's Late Goal Not Enough as Florida Tops Norfolk - Norfolk Admirals
- Fuel Take Goalie Duel in 2-1 Shootout - Kalamazoo Wings
- Thunder Snap Oilers Winning Streak - Tulsa Oilers
- Atlanta Moves into Sole Possession of a Playoff Spot with 6-2 Win in Jacksonville - Atlanta Gladiators
- Brey Bests Beast in 3-2 Thunder Win - Adirondack Thunder
- Royals Drown Mariners to Davy Jones' Locker, 6-2 - Reading Royals
- Mavericks' Losing Streak Hits Seven in 4-1 Loss at Toledo - Kansas City Mavericks
- Nailers Score Five Unanswered Goals to Rally Past Komets - Wheeling Nailers
- Mariners Inch Closer to Playoff Spot But Fall in Reading - Maine Mariners
- Growlers Clinch North Division with Win over the Monarchs - Newfoundland Growlers
- Monarchs Fall to Growlers, 4-2 - Manchester Monarchs
- Florida Adds Goaltender Evan Weninger - Florida Everblades
- ECHL Transactions - March 29 - ECHL
- Game Preview: Solar Bears at Swamp Rabbits - Orlando Solar Bears
- The Anthony Myers Movement Raises $4,757.50 at March 23 Royals Game - Reading Royals
- Indy Receives Reinforcements from Rockford - Indy Fuel
- Labrie Loaned to AHL Bakersfield - Wichita Thunder
- Preview: Everblades Battle Norfolk in Middle Game of Three-Game Set - Florida Everblades
- Americans Face Utah on Martinson Bobble Head Night - Allen Americans
- Nailers vs. Komets Game Day Snap Shot, March 29 - Wheeling Nailers
- Atwal Headed to Rochester - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Game Day: Crucial Central Division Weekend Begins in Indy - Kalamazoo Wings
- Royals Host Maine Friday to Start Huge Home Weekend - Reading Royals
- Swamp Rabbits Edged by IceMen - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Nailers Sign Three Players - Wheeling Nailers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
