By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
The Maine Mariners were hoping to eliminate the Adirondack Thunder in Game 5 in Glens Falls, New York, to close out their 2026 North Division Semifinals series. However, the Mariners fell in overtime, but still lead 3-2 in the series. Now, new hope is with the Mariners as the team returns home with another chance to close out the series.
Game 6 of the Mariners-Thunder series is tonight at 7 p.m. ET at Cross Insurance Arena. The Mariners had played the past three games on the road, but returned home to Portland, Maine, with home-ice advantage in the series.
In a tough game this past Saturday, the Mariners lost 3-2 in Game 5. Despite having three shots on goal in the entire first period, forward Jacob Hudson scored 10:32 into the game to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead. However, the Mariners’ early lead was short-lived when Thunder forward Matt Salhany scored 1:46 after Hudson’s goal to tie the game.
In the second period, it would be forward Jacob Taylor who scored the period’s first goal at 3:33 to give the Thunder a 2-1 lead. However, just like the Mariners did in Game 4 when they trailed on the road, the team fought back when trailing. Hudson scored his second goal of the game 9:57 later after Taylor’s goal to tie the game on a beautiful shot that beat Thunder goaltender Jeremy Brodeur. In the third period, the Mariners applied a ton of pressure against Brodeur, but he made 14 saves to keep the game tied at two. After a scoreless third period, the Mariners and Thunder needed overtime to determine a winner.
All of the pressure was on the Thunder’s shoulders heading into overtime, knowing that if the Mariners scored, their season would be over. Just 2:36 into overtime, Taylor scored his second goal of the game to win Game 5 and force the series back to Portland. Taylor’s overtime goal helped him cap off a three-point night.
After allowing nine combined goals in Games 3 and 4, Brodeur was better for the Thunder by making 30 saves. Mariners goaltender Brad Arvanitis made 25 saves in the loss after winning Games 3 and 4, after Luke Cavallin got the first two starts in the series.
Even though the Mariners fell in Game 5 with a chance to clinch the series, the team did a good job of winning two of three road meetings against the Thunder, bringing the series back home with a chance to clinch. The Mariners lost six of eight regular-season meetings against the Thunder, making their two road playoff wins all the more impressive.
If the Mariners win tonight, they will play the Wheeling Nailers in the North Division Finals. The Nailers defeated the Reading Royals in five games this past Saturday to advance in the 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs. However, if the Thunder win tonight, Game 7 will be needed tomorrow night at Cross Insurance Arena to determine the series.
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