The Maine Mariners (17-24-3) had a split weekend against the Norfolk Admirals at Cross Insurance Arena.
Game One
The Maine Mariners ended their five-game losing streak with a 3-0 victory over the Norfolk Admirals on Friday night at Cross Insurance Arena. Nolan Maier had an amazing night, stopping all 31 shots to earn his third shutout of the season.
Midway through the opening period, Robbie Baillargeon stole the puck along the right wall and fed Matthew Philip. He would get his fifth goal of the season. This would be the first time in over five of Maine’s last games that they took the lead first.
Maine extended its lead early in the second period. Ayden McDonald would be able to pass the puck to Wyllum Deveaux and score just under 2 minutes in. The Mariners’ defense goldtending were strong enough to keep Norfolk off the scoreboard.
The Mariners extended the lead to 3 with a power-play goal. Lynden McCallum shot in a rebound to the right of goaltender Thomas Milic, extending the lead to 3-0 at 18:05. Maier’s 31 saves secured his fifth win of the season.
Game Two
Luck would not be on the Mariners side Saturday night, with the Admirals securing a 3-1 win.
Norfolk took a 3-0 lead in the first eleven minutes of the game with three quick goals. Stepan Timofeyev opened the scoring at 4:09, firing a wrist shot past Nolan Maier from the right circle. At 8:03 Nathan Kelly found the back of the net with a shot from the left point. Just over two minutes later, Josh McDougall’s shot from the blue line also slipped by Maier. Later in the period Timofeyev was assessed a match penalty for slew-footing, giving the Mariners an extended power play that carried into the second period.
The Mariners didn’t score until late in the second when Sarlo hit the back of the net at 18:52. Tristan Thompson’s shot from the right point was redirected by Sarlo in front of Admirals goalie Kristian Stead, cutting the lead to 3-1. This sparked the “Underwear & Sports Bra Toss” to collect donations for Preble Street and The Sports Bra Project.
Maine continued to press throughout the third period, outshooting Norfolk 22-15 in the final 40 minutes, but couldn’t find the back of the net again.
Stead recorded 26 saves on 27 shots to earn the win, while Maier made 27 stops.
Looking at the Road Ahead
The Mariners start a 10-game road trip against the Rapid City Rush beginning Thursday at 9:05 PM ET. They will be on the road until March 7th to host the Reading Royals for Dino Night at 7:15 PM.
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