By: Mark Allred | Follow me on Twitter / X @BlackAndGold277
The Maine Mariners are back in action tonight as the National Hockey League Boston Bruins ECHL affiliate returns home to face the visiting Adirondack Thunder. Puck drop at the Cross Insurance Arena is set for 6pm as this is game one of 14 in the league on a hectic Saturday night of minor-pro hockey action.
The Mariners sit in the last position in the North Division with a 10-12-2 record and 22 points. Currently, the Maine club is a stretch to make their fourth straight Kelly Cup postseason appearance. The team has played very well lately, going 4-1 in their last five games and getting solid point-producing contributions from the team’s more offensively gifted players.
While the optics of the Mariners season thus far aren’t appealing for those stat watchers out there, it’s typical for minor-pro affiliates at the ECHL and higher AHL league teams to struggle in the beginning stages of a regular season. Maine has 48 games remaining in the season, and with a home victory over the visiting Adirondack Thunder, could climb as high as fourth place, tying the Reading Royals, who currently have 24 points and are in action tonight at Worcester.
Maine has dominated tonight’s opponent, Adirondack, going 2-0 on the season and outscoring the fellow North Division foe by an 8-3 margin. The visiting Thunder are 5-4-0-1 on the road this season, while the Mariners club is 5-7-0 at the Cross.
Players to Watch Tonight For Both Teams
For the visiting Adirondack Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, forward Kevin O’Neil leads the team in points and is on a two-game pointless streak. Forward Alex Young, who is tied for the team lead in goals with seven, is on a two-game point streak.
Players to watch for the home Maine Mariners as they look for their third victory of the season over the Thunder. Forward Brooklyn Kalmikov has been the focal point of the Mariners recent surge in offensive production. The former QMJHL Moncton Wildcat leads the Maine club in goals with nine and is 4-5-9 in his last five games. Forward Xander Lamppa is on a two-game point streak, producing 1-2-3 numbers in that timeframe. Defenseman Justin Bean is on a four-game point streak with six assists in that duration and 1-7-8 in his last six games.
With
For tickets to tonight’s game at the Cross Insurance Arena, please go to the Maine Mariner’s official website HERE or visit the box office in person at the Spring Street location.
If you are not in the Portland, Maine, area and want to watch tonight’s game, check out the affordable streaming packageoffered by our friendser at FloHockey.com.
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