By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
After a brutal 5-1 loss to the Worcester Railers on Saturday, the Maine Mariners aimed to get their season back on track as they faced the Reading Royals. Maine had previously defeated Reading in both matchups this season, and they continued their winning streak with a thrilling come-from-behind victory in overtime. The game became a goaltending battle, but the superior team emerged victorious. The Mariners are eager to build on this win as they began their three-game weekend on Friday.
The first period was quite balanced, with both teams registering ten shots and having their opportunities. Although the score remained 0-0, that didn’t capture the entire narrative, as Maine goaltender Ryan Bischel made three critical breakaway saves to keep the game tied. The Mariners headed into the dressing room facing a noticeable defensive issue they would need to address to secure a victory.
In the second period, the Mariners took control, firing off 13 shots while allowing only three. Whatever Coach Terrence Wallin said in the locker room made an impact as the defense tightened up. However, Maine faced another challenge: they were up against one of the best goalies in the East Coast Hockey League, Keith Petruzzelli, who made save after save, consistently denying the Mariners’ attempts to score. As the game progressed into the third period, it was clear it was firmly in Maine’s favor.
To begin the third, the Royals got on the board first as Todd Skirving deflected a shot from Tyler Gratton to give Reading the lead. Seconds later, Maine would finally break through as Patrick Guay put one past Petruzzelli off of a beautiful pass from Evan Vierling. Later in the period, Reading would inch ahead with a goal from Gianfranco Cassaro. Maine maintained pressure all period long, and with seven seconds left in the game, Brooklyn Kalmikov snuck a shot through the five-hole to send the game to overtime.
Just 28 seconds into overtime, recently assigned Jimmy Lambert scored a goal over Petruzzelli’s shoulder, stunning the Royals entirely. The team turned the game around instantly, but this victory was a long time coming, as Maine had produced 38 shots on net. This win is a significant boost for the team as they head into the weekend, marking a great start in their efforts to climb the North Division rankings.
The game’s three stars were awarded to the two goalies and Jimmy Lambert, but it was a team effort, and everyone deserves recognition for the win. The match was intense and physical, with both teams showing frustration from previous challenges. Evan Vierling played exceptionally well, delivering fantastic passes and creating opportunities for his teammates.
One of the game’s highlights was the team’s relentless pressure in the offensive zone during the last three minutes. Maine moved the puck around beautifully and registered many shots on goal. Securing a victory in a game like this is crucial for building confidence, especially since the team is now 4-4-0 at home this season.
The Maine Mariners have a quick turnaround. On Friday, they face off against the Trois-Rivieres Lions in Quebec before returning home to play two games against the South Carolina Stingrays at the Cross Insurance Arena on Saturday and Sunday. Hopefully, they can build on this win and achieve something more significant. If they perform like they did tonight, they’ll be competitive with any team in the league.
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