By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
After concluding the 2025-26 ECHL regular season this past Saturday, the 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs have officially arrived for the Maine Mariners. The Mariners finished with the second-best record in the North Division to get home-ice advantage in their best-of-seven North Division Semifinals playoff series against the Adirondack Thunder. Game 1 between the Mariners and Thunder is tonight at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, with puck drop scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.
Along with finishing second in the North Division and returning to the playoffs after missing out last season, the Mariners’ 93 points recorded this season set a new franchise record for points recorded in a single season, dating back to the franchise’s first season in 2018-19. The Mariners also finished tied for the fourth-most points in the Eastern Conference and the seventh-most overall in the ECHL.
The Mariners’ depth up front was solid throughout the season. Jacob Hudson’s 23 goals led the Mariners, and Brooklyn Kalmikov’s 21 goals were the second-most. Kalmikov and Max Andreev’s 62 points were each tied for first on the Mariners’ roster. Andreev also recorded 43 assists to lead the Mariners. Goaltenders Brad Arvantis and Luke Cavallin formed a solid duo, with each of them recording a GAA of 2.35 or better, and a save percentage of .917 or better. Arvantis and Cavallin combined to win 40 of the Mariners’ 42 games this season.
Despite their regular-season point total, the Mariners need to find new momentum as the playoffs begin tonight. The Mariners lost their last two games to conclude the season and were outscored 9-1 combined. In the Mariners’ last game against the Trois-Rivieres Lions on the road, the Mariners lost 6-0. Losing by six goals to conclude the regular season is brutal, but the playoffs offer a chance to make up for it.
A Look at the Opponent
The Thunder finished third in the North Division with 85 points this season. Like the Mariners, the Thunder finished the regular season cold by losing four of their final five games. However, the playoffs are here for the Thunder to create a new beginning.
Forward Brannon McManus’ 31 goals and 67 points each led the Thunder this season. Matt Salhany was the only other forward on the Thunder’s roster to record at least 40 points this season, as his 42 points were good for third on the team overall. Defenseman Jeremy Hanzel’s 41 assists led the Thunder, and his 49 points were second on the team. Goaltender Jeremy Brodeur finished as the Thunder’s top goaltender by winning 23 games, and posting a 2.69 GAA and a .908 save percentage in 41 games played.
Need to Turn Luck Around Against the Thunder
There’s reason for the Mariners to be worried about facing the Thunder to begin the 2026 playoffs. The Thunder won 11 of the 15 regular-season meetings against the Mariners this season. Although the Mariners have home-ice advantage in the series, the Thunder won five of the seven games that were played this season in Portland.
Despite being dominated by the Thunder throughout the regular season, the Mariners can build off their last game against them, which was played on April 8 in Portland. The Thunder won 6-5 in a shootout, but the Mariners trailed 5-0 at one point before scoring five unanswered goals to tie the game, putting together a valiant effort after falling behind badly.
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