By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
The Maine Mariners began their North Division Finals series against the Wheeling Nailers in the 2026 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs rough, losing the first two games on the road. However, last night’s 6-3 win in Game 3 in Portland, Maine, restored confidence to the Mariners ahead of Game 4. On a long night, the Mariners found a way to win in a tough battle.
The Mariners defeated the Nailers 2-1 in double overtime in Game 4 at Cross Insurance Arena. With the Mariners winning, a sixth game will be needed in the series. It was a long stalemate throughout the night, with both teams having excellent chances to win, but the Mariners’ top offensive players and goaltending helped them earn a crucial win.
First Period
As they did in Game 3 against Nailers goaltender Taylor Gauthier, the Mariners’ offense got off to a hot start early in Game 4. Forty-four seconds after failing to convert on their first power play of the game, forward Max Andreev scored 4:56 into the game to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead. An early goal may have appeared to give the Mariners’ offense hope of another high-scoring game against Gauthier. However, outside of another power play opportunity, which the team failed to convert, the Mariners’ offense went cold for the remainder of the first period.
Late in the period, Mariners defenseman Andrew Nielsen took his second penalty, giving the Nailers their second power play opportunity of the game. This time, Nailers forward Brayden Edwards scored on the power play to tie the game at one with 2:59 remaining in the period. The Nailers outshot the Mariners 9-7 in the first period, as the teams headed into the first intermission tied at one.
Second Period
After Nailers defenseman Aidan Sutter was called for a tripping penalty 1:23 into the second period, the Mariners had their third power play opportunity of the game. However, as in the two previous power plays, the Mariners failed to score. The failed power play was the start of a brutal second period offensively for the Mariners, as the team had one shot on goal 15 minutes into the period and finished with three shots on goal overall.
With not much offense, Mariners goaltender Luke Cavallin was relied on deeply to keep the game tied. Cavallin made 14 saves in the second period, as the period was a scoreless one. The Mariners and Nailers were tied at one heading into the second intermission.
Third Period
The third period saw Cavallin make more big saves to keep the Mariners in the game. The best save Cavallin made in the period was on a breakaway against Nailers forward Zach Urdahl. The rest of the period was a stalemate, and then the biggest moment of the game happened late in the period.
With 1:31 remaining in regulation, Nailers forward Jack Works was called for a double-minor penalty for high-sticking, giving the Mariners a golden opportunity to take the lead. However, the Mariners couldn’t score on the power play before regulation ended, so overtime was needed, and the game remained tied at one. The Nailers outshot the Mariners 31-22 in regulation.
Overtime
The Mariners and Nailers needed overtime to determine a winner in Game 1 of the series. Thanks to forward Ryan McAllister, the Nailers won 4-3 in overtime that night. Game 4’s overtime began with the Mariners having 2:29 of power play time carried over from the end of regulation, and the Nailers successfully killed off the remaining of Works’ penalty to begin overtime.
After the failed four-minute power play, Andreev had a breakaway chance to win the game with under nine minutes remaining in overtime. However, Gatuhier made a huge save on a backhand shot to keep the game play on. After Gatuhier’s big save, the Mariners got a power play opportunity with 7:56 remaining in overtime when Urdahl was called for a slashing penalty, which they couldn’t score on.
With 1:04 remaining in overtime, the Mariners got another power play when Nailers forward Blake Bennett was called for a high-sticking penalty. However, the Mariners couldn’t score, and the first overtime ended scoreless, so a second overtime was needed. The Mariners outshot the Mariners 11-3 in the first overtime.
Double Overtime
Double overtime began with the Mariners having 56 seconds of power play time, which the Nailers successfully killed off. The Mariners went 0/7 on the power play in the game. At 5:57 of double overtime, the Nailers had a power play opportunity when Mariners forward Robert Cronin was called for a tripping penalty.
However, the Mariners successfully killed off Cronin’s penalty, and the night would be complete. Nine seconds after Cronin’s penalty expired, Mariners forward Jacob Hudson scored on a 2-on-1 to win the game and tie the series at two. Cavallin’s 35 saves were pivotal to help the Mariners win, and both Andreev and Hudson each scored a goal and added an assist. In defeat, Gauthier made 33 saves.
Game 5 of the series will resume tomorrow at Cross Insurance Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Whichever team wins tomorrow will take a 3-2 series lead before heading back to WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia, for Game 6 on Saturday night.
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