By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
The Maine Mariners recently played their last four games against the Trois-Rivieres Lions, with the past three games being on the road in Quebec at Colisée Vidéotron. Now, the first of five remaining home games this season for the Mariners awaits them at Cross Insurance Arena, and it’s a showdown against the Adirondack Thunder for the final time this season. Puck drop for tonight’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
The Mariners’ last four games against the Lions were rough, with the team losing three of them. Offensively, the Mariners struggled against the Lions, scoring just four goals combined in the four games. The Mariners’ last game ended in a 3-0 shutout loss this past Sunday. All three goals the Lions scored were in the first period against Maine goaltender Luke Cavallin, but he finished the game making 26 saves. Lions goaltender Francesco Lapenna made 29 saves to earn the shutout win.
The only game the Mariners won against the Lions was a 2-1 win this past Saturday. The Mariners trailed 1-0 after the first period, but scored two goals in the second from Robert Cronin and Antonio Venuto, and goaltender Brad Arvanitis made 27 saves to help secure the win. The Mariners lost 2-1 this past Friday and lost 3-2 last Wednesday in the other two games against the Lions. Despite losing three of their last four games against the Lions, the Mariners sit in second place in the North Division with 86 points.
A Look at the Opponent
The Thunder enter tonight’s game in fourth place in the North Division with 77 points. The Thunder trail the Reading Royals by two points for third place in the division with two fewer games played, and have a six-point cushion on the fifth-place Lions. The Thunder enter tonight on a six-game losing streak, with the last two losses being one-goal losses on the road against the Norfolk Admirals.
Adirondack forward Brannon McMannus’ 28 goals and 63 points each lead the team, and his +19 rating is tied for first on the roster. McMannus recorded three points over the past two games against the Admirals, which included two goals. Defenseman Jeremy Hazel’s 41 points are second on Adirondack’s roster. McMannus is the only 20-goal scorer on Adirondack. No other forward besides McMannus has 40 points, and no other defenseman besides Hazel has 20 points on the season. Goaltender Jeremy Brodeur is having a solid season with 25 wins, a 2.56 GAA, and a .912 save percentage in 38 games played.
Finishing a Long Season Series
Tonight is the 15th and final meeting of the season between Maine and Adirondack. Despite having nine more points than Adirondack, Maine has struggled in the season series. Maine has won just four of the 14 meetings against Adirondack this season.
The last time Maine played against Adirondack this season was back on March 18, when the team lost 2-1 in overtime at Harding Mazzotti Arena. Forward Matt Salhany scored the overtime winner to give Adirondack the win. Arvanitis made 41 saves in the overtime loss for Maine.
Leave a Reply