By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
The Maine Mariners made history this past Wednesday when they defeated the Adirondack Thunder in seven games to win their first playoff series in franchise history. It was then back to work in the 2026 ECHL Playoffs against the Wheeling Nailers in the North Division Finals.
The Nailers won three of the five games against the Mariners in the regular season, and the first game of the playoff series ended in heartbreak for the Mariners. The Nailers defeated the Mariners 4-3 in overtime at WesBanco Arena to take a 1-0 series lead. While the Mariners had short rest, they gave the Nailers a competitive game, but it wasn’t enough to win.
First Period
Scoring against Nailers goaltender Taylor Gauthier was going to be a main focus for the Mariners heading into the series. Against the Reading Royals in the last round, Gauthier was incredible, recording three shutouts in the five-game series. A hot goaltender in the playoffs isn’t easy to beat, but the Mariners were able to do so early.
Just 7:40 into the game, forward Antonio Venuto scored to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead. However, the Nailers’ first goal of the game would be a stinger for the Mariners. Forward and former Mariner Tristan Thompson scored for the Nailers to tie the game at one with under five minutes remaining in the period. The Mariners and Nailers were tied at one heading into the first intermission.
Second Period
The Mariners continued to remain hot offensively against Gauthier in the second period. Just 37 seconds into the period, defenseman Owen Gallatin scored to give the Mariners a 2-1 lead. However, forward Blake Bennett tied the game at two for the Nailers just 2:58 later. After Bennett’s goal tied the game, the Mariners’ penalty kill successfully killed off two Nailer power play opportunities.
With 4:46 remaining in the period, forward Brooklyn Kalmikov scored to give the Mariners a 3-2 lead, but just like when Gallatin scored, the Nailers responded quickly. Just 47 seconds later, after Kalmikov’s goal, forward Mike Posma tied the game at three for the Nailers. Three separate times, the Mariners had a lead, and the Nailers responded to tie the game. The Mariners and Nailers were tied at three heading into the second intermission. Mariners goaltender Brad Arvanitis made 19 saves through two periods.
Third Period
The Mariners began the third period killing off the remaining 40 seconds of a Nailers power play that carried over from the second period. The Mariners then got a power play opportunity 6:20 into the period when Nailers forward Brayden Edwards was called for a high-sticking penalty. However, it got ruined when Gallatin was called for an interference penalty 22 seconds into the power play.
While it was 4-on-4, Arvanitis made a breakaway save on Nailers forward Logan Pietila, then made another save on Bennett after denying Pietila. After that, the Nailers continued to apply offensive pressure against Arvanitis, as he made 18 saves in the period, but the score remained tied at three, and overtime was needed. The Nailers outshot the Mariners 40-28 in regulation.
Overtime
In overtime of their North Division Semifinals series, the Mariners went 1-2, and the Nailers went 1-1. The Mariners dropped their last two overtime games against the Thunder, while the Nailers won their last overtime game to clinch their series against the Royals in Game 5.
The Mariners got a golden chance to win the game when Nailers forward Nolan Renwick was called for a slashing penalty seven seconds into overtime, but they couldn’t score on the power play, and the game would end shortly after. At 3:10 of overtime, forward Ryan McAllister scored to win the game for the Nailers. The Nailers never led in Game 1, but found a way to win in the end.
Game 2 of the series will resume tomorrow night at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, with puck drop scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. If the Nailers win, they will take a commanding 2-0 series lead with the series shifting to Portland, Maine, for Game 3. If the Mariners win, the series will go at least five games.
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