By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
After a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over the Reading Royals, the Maine Mariners aim to build on their success as they travel to Quebec to face the Trois-Rivières Lions. Following a slow start to the season, Maine is looking to turn things around with a challenging three-game weekend ahead, which will truly test their capabilities. If they perform as they did in their last game, they should be able to compete effectively against any team in the league.
Maine recently achieved an impressive 3-2 victory over the Royals. The Mariners delivered an outstanding performance, with goaltender Ryan Bischel making several crucial saves early in the game to keep the team competitive. In the second period, the defense excelled, allowing only three shots on goal. The offense finally found momentum in the third period, scoring early and equalizing with just seven seconds remaining on the clock. In overtime, recently assigned Jimmy Lambert scored the winning goal by shooting the puck over the shoulder of Royals netminder Keith Petruzzelli. It was a fantastic win that hopefully signifies a turning point for the team.
Trois-Rivières comes into this game after a loss to the Wheeling Nailers. The Lions played well against the Nailers but could not secure a victory. They fell into an early 4-1 deficit and ultimately lost the game 4-3 despite a strong push in the second period. Penalties were a significant issue for the Lions, as they received eight in this matchup, which proved costly. This game presents another favorable opportunity for the Mariners, especially since the Lions currently sit in second-to-last place in the North Division.
The Maine Mariners have some standout players heading into this game. Jimmy Lambert recorded the game-tying assist right before scoring the game-winning goal in overtime. Expect him to continue his success in the East Coast Hockey League as he aims to earn his way back to Providence. Since Bischel started on Wednesday, Nolan Maier is set to take over as the next goaltender, and he has had a fantastic season so far. Maier has posted a 2.52 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage. He will be crucial to the team’s success moving forward. Lastly, Evan Vierling continues his fabulous play as of late, as he also tallied an assist in the last game to open up the scoring for the Mariners.
Trois-Rivières needs more players to step up, but they currently have a few individuals who can potentially impact each game they play. Israel Mianscum is leading the Lions in points and has been performing well recently. His elite vision on the ice allows him to create opportunities for his teammates, as he has started the season with five assists. Maine will face another top-tier goaltender, Luke Cavallin, who has an impressive 2.05 goals-against average (GAA) and a .942 save percentage (SV%). However, this should be fine for Maine, as they have already demonstrated their ability to defeat teams with high-quality goaltending.
You can catch the Mariners this Friday at 7 p.m. as they face off against the Trois-Rivières Lions at the Colisée Vidéotron in Quebec. A victory in this match would elevate Maine above the Lions in their pursuit of first place in the North Division. This game is an important starting point as they aim to sweep their three-game weekend. After this matchup, the Mariners will return home to play against the South Carolina Stingrays. Hopefully, the team can build on this recent success and turn it into something bigger.
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