By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
After a tough loss to the Worcester Railers on Saturday, the Maine Mariners are preparing to face the third-ranked Reading Royals at the Cross Insurance Arena. Despite a sluggish start to the season, the Mariners have performed well against the Royals, posting a 2-0 record against them so far this year. Hopefully, this matchup will help the Mariners get their season back on track.
The Mariners enter this game following a disappointing performance that resulted in a 5-1 loss to the Worcester Railers. Sebastian Vidmar scored the lone goal, tying the game at 1-1 by capitalizing on a rebound. Unfortunately, the Mariners conceded four consecutive goals, leading to a frustrating conclusion. Despite the final score, Maine outshot the Railers 26-24. Goaltender Nolan Maier faced challenges during the game but has been performing well for the team recently.
The Royals enter this game after losing six of their last seven matches. They have struggled offensively in recent games, as they were blanked in their previous performance against the Indy Fuel. Although Reading had a solid start to the season, they have recently experienced a significant decline. This matchup creates an ideal opportunity for the last-placed Mariners to turn things around.
Key players to watch for the Mariners are Nolan Maier and Evan Vierling. Every successful team needs a strong goalie, and Maine has that in Maier, who will be eager to compete against his former team tonight. He has an impressive 2.52 Goals Against Average and a .892 Save Percentage.
Evan Vierling has performed exceptionally well since the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, New York. He continues to showcase his talent in the East Coast Hockey League, where he is tied for the team lead with seven points in eight games. Vierling must maintain his outstanding performance if the team hopes to improve after a difficult start to the season. Additionally, I want to highlight Quinnipiac University alum Nick Jermain, who will face off against his former college goalie, Keith Petruzzelli.
Netminder Keith Petruzelli and forward Matt Miller are key players to watch for the Royals. Petruzelli stands out as one of the best goalies in the ECHL, boasting a 1.75 Goals Against Average and a .942 Save Percentage in his four starts this season. Meanwhile, Matt Miller ranks second in points but leads with eight assists. His exceptional vision on the ice poses a challenge for most teams, and he continues to find success even as the team struggles.
The Maine Mariners aim to secure a quick victory before entering a challenging three-game series starting Friday. A win would bring their home record to 4-4-0, allowing them to move up in the standings. Maine sits at the bottom of the North Division, but that will change as they play more games. With the recent addition of Drew Bavaro and Jimmy Lambert, the team has the potential to achieve a winning streak this week as they strive for a better position early in the season. Catch the team tonight at 7 pm at the Cross Insurence Arena or on Flo Hockey.
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