(Photo credit: ECHL Maine Mariners)

By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18

The Maine Mariners began the 2026 North Division Finals series against the Wheeling Nailers by losing the first two games of the series in Wheeling, West Virginia. Now, after last night’s win, confidence is back on the Mariners’ side heading into another pivotal game at home in Portland, Maine.

The Mariners host the Nailers in Game 4 at Cross Insurance Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The Mariners trail the Nailers 2-1 in the series, and are looking to win their third consecutive home playoff game.

Last night in Game 3, the pressure on the Mariners was immense. A loss would put the Mariners in a daunting 0-3 series deficit, with the risk of being swept at home and ending the season. However, the Mariners earned a huge, dominant 6-3 win on home ice against the Nailers.

After Nailers goaltender Taylor Gauthier continued his excellent 2026 playoffs in Game 2, the Mariners attacked him early in Game 3. The Mariners scored three goals in the opening 12:55 of the game. The Mariners’ three goals, scored by forwards Robert Cronin and Ben Allison, and defenseman Zachary Massicotte, were scored in a span of 5:57.

After leading 3-0 heading into the first intermission, the Mariners continued their offensive success against Gauthier and the Nailers in the second period. Forwards Brooklyn Kalmikov and Antonio Venuto each scored a goal in the second period, and the Mariners led 5-0 just 29:54 into the game. After Venuto’s goal to make it 5-0, Gauthier was pulled, and Gabriel D’Aigle played the rest of the game for the Nailers. D’Aigle made 11 saves in relief of Gauthier. Last night was the first time since Feb. 25 this season in which Gauthier allowed at least five goals in a game. Gauthier allowed five Mariner goals on 18 shots on goal. Nailers forward Logan Pietila scored to make it a 5-1 game heading into the second intermission.

However, the Mariners got that goal back when forward Max Andreev scored a power play goal to make it a 6-1 game 7:05 into the third period. Andreev’s goal was the Mariners’ fourth power play goal of the game. The Nailers got two late goals on special teams, a shorthanded goal by forward Zach Urdahl and a power play goal by forward Blake Bennett, but it was too little too late for a comeback win. Mariners goaltender Luke Cavallin made 36 saves to earn the win, and 11 different Mariners recorded at least one point, with Allison leading the way with a three-point game.

Confidence is back with the Mariners, defending home ice well in a must-win game. Now, the stakes are high for both teams heading into Game 4. If the Mariners win, the series will be tied at 2 games, and it will go to at least 6 games. If the Nailers win, they will go up 3-1 in the series, with a chance to clinch the series tomorrow night in Game 5 in Portland and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals against either the Florida Everblades or the South Carolina Stingrays.