Mariners Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Big Win over Reading
April 13, 2022 - ECHL (ECHL)
Maine Mariners News Release
PORTLAND, ME - Five Mariners registered multi-point games while Callum Booth stopped 37 shots in a 6-2 Mariners victory over the Reading Royals on Wednesday night at the Cross Insurance Arena. The Mariners kept pace with the Worcester Railers in the race for the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division.
In an action-packed opening period, the Mariners got on the board first at 3:55. Pascal Laberge got in alone and deked around the pad of Royals goaltender Hayden Hawkey for the 1-0 Maine lead. Reading defenseman Dominic Cormier tied the game at one with a shot from the blue line at 7:27, but the Mariners quickly responded. Laberge made a toe drag in the neutral zone and sent Nick Master in on the left side, who beat Hawkey under the crossbar. The opening period was also very physical, highlighted by an explosive hit by Michael Kim on Reading's Brennan Saulnier.
Despite the Royals winning the 2nd period shot battle 15-3, the Mariners scored the only goal of the frame. At 8:19, Cam Askew took a feed from Reid Stefanson and darted down the shot, ripping a shot past Hawkey. The middle stanza was defined by penalties, with the Royals getting four power plays to Maine's three. Callum Booth had a standout period in the Mariners net, making 15 stops.
Trailing 3-1 in the third, Reading cut the deficit back to one just 2:28 in when Trevor Gooch scored on a breakaway, outmuscling Mariners defenseman Gabriel Chicoine to break free. The Mariners then took consecutive penalties to give Reading a two-man advantage, but as they killed off the first, Mathew Santos got a breakaway of his own out of the box and beat Hawkey's glove to put Maine back up by two at 5:44. Askew got his second of the night at 10:31 with a power move to the net and Tyler Hinam added an empty netter in the final minute to bring the game to a 6-2 final.
Booth stopped 37 of 39 for his eighth win of the season. Hawkey made 20 stops on 25 shots in the loss. With Worcester's 3-0 win at Trois-Rivieres, the Mariners remain .007 percentage points behind the Railers for fourth place. The Lions failed to clinch a playoff spot due to their loss. Maine will still need to finish with either two more points than Worcester or two wins plus two regulation losses by the Lions to make the playoffs.
The Mariners (31-31-5-3) host the Newfoundland Growlers on Friday and Saturday night to close out the regular season. It's Fan Appreciation Weekend, presented by Three Rivers Whitewater Rafting and Chick-Fil-A. Friday's game begins at 7:15 PM and is a 1-2-3 Friday: $1 popcorn, $2 hot dogs, and $3 Bud Light Drafts through the start of the 2nd period. Boston Bruins anthem singer Todd Angilly will also be returning to perform the Star Spangled Banner. Saturday's game, the regular season finale, begins at 6 PM. Tickets for all home games can be purchased online at MarinersOfMaine.com/tickets or by visiting the Trusted Choice Box Office inside the Cross Insurance Arena.
ECHL Stories from April 13, 2022
- K-Wings Fall at Home to Nailers, Playoff Hopes Still Alive - Kalamazoo Wings
- Evans Nets Overtime Winner in Wednesday Thriller - South Carolina Stingrays
- Lions Now Have to Wait Until Friday to Clinch a Playoff Spot - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Ken Appleby's 43 Save Shutout Powers Railers to 3-0 Victory over Trois-Rivières - Worcester Railers HC
- Iowa Jolts Allen with 5 Unanswered, 5-1 - Iowa Heartlanders
- Fish Fall in Overtime Heartbreaker to Indy - Toledo Walleye
- Mariners Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Big Win over Reading - Maine Mariners
- Swamp Rabbits Earn Crucial Point, Fall 2-1 in Overtime to Icemen - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Nailers Punch Ticket to Playoffs with 3-2 Thriller - Wheeling Nailers
- Fuel Defeat Toledo in 9-Goal Thriller - Indy Fuel
- ECHL Transactions - April 13 - ECHL
- Watts, Safin Head to Bakersfield; Van Riemsdyk Re-Signed - Wichita Thunder
- Lions Begin Crucial Three-Game Series against the Railers Tonight - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Josh Maniscalco Named to 2021-22 ECHL All-Rookie Team - Wheeling Nailers
- Martin and Tardif Named to All-Rookie Team - Utah Grizzlies
- ECHL Announces 2021-22 All-Rookie Team - ECHL
- Captain Kris Bennett Named to All-ECHL Rookie Team - Iowa Heartlanders
- Wichita Opens Final Week of the Season Tonight vs. KC - Wichita Thunder
- Game Notes: vs Tulsa - Rapid City Rush
- Everblades Single-Game Playoff Tickets on Sale Now - Florida Everblades
- Lions Inch Closer to Playoff Spot with 3-2 Win over Adirondack - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Morning Tea: Swamp Rabbits at Icemen - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Chicago Assigns LaFontaine and Serikov to Norfolk - Norfolk Admirals
- Everblades to Hold Pink in the Rink Jersey Auction Benefitting the 4 Words Foundation - Florida Everblades
- Royals Seek Series Sweep against Mariners on Road - Reading Royals
- Solar Bears Roll Past Icemen 6-2 in Home Finale - Orlando Solar Bears
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.
