By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
As Game 3 arrived for the Maine Mariners in the 2026 North Division Finals series against the Wheeling Nailers, pressure was on the team immensely, with them trailing 2-0 in the series. Returning home brought confidence back for the Mariners to turn the series around, and it showed throughout the game.
The Mariners defeated the Nailers 6-3 in Game 3 at Cross Insurance Arena. The Mariners’ win cuts the Nailers’ series lead to 2-1, and it forces at least a fifth game to be needed. The Mariners got off to a hot start in the first period, and their energy carried them through the rest of the game.
First Period
Desperation showed from the Mariners to begin with the game, having quality scoring chances against Nailers Taylor Gauthier in the opening minutes of the game. Already starting strong offensively, the Mariners got their first power play of the game when Nailers defenseman David Breazeale was called for a holding penalty 5:42 into the game.
Forward Robert Cronin made the Nailers pay when he scored a power play goal 6:58 into the game to give the Nailers a 1-0 lead. Just 2:42 later, Mariners defenseman Zachary Massicotte scored after a few bounces to extend the lead to 2-0. The Mariners’ two goals in the opening 9:40 of the game were the first time the team had a multi-goal lead in the series.
The Nailers had a chance to get back into the game when Mariners forward Ben Allison was called for a slashing penalty, but couldn’t score. Ten seconds after Allison’s penalty was over, he scored on a breakaway, 3:15 later, after Massicotte’s goal to extend the lead to 3-0. The Mariners’ three goals were scored in the opening 12:55 of the game, and they happened in a span of 5:57. Goaltender Luke Cavallin made ten saves in the period for the Mariners, as they led 3-0 heading into the first intermission.
Second Period
The second period began 4-on-4 for two minutes after Mariners forward Ryan McGuire and Nailers defenseman Tristan Thompson were each penalized at the end of the first period. After the penalties expired, Nailers forward Craig Armstrong came close to scoring when he hit the post. At 4:20 of the period, the Nailers were called for a too many men on the ice penalty.
Nineteen seconds into the power play, Mariners forward Brooklyn Kalmikov scored to extend the lead to 4-0. Kalmikov’s goal helped the Mariners convert on their first two power play opportunities of the game. Then, 5:15 after Kalmikov’s goal, Mariners forward Antonio Venuto scored a power play goal to extend the lead to 5-0. The Mariners scored five goals in the opening 29:54 of the game. After the Mariners’ fifth goal, Gauthier was pulled for Gabriel D’Aigle. Gauthier finished allowing five goals on 18 shots on goal from the Mariners.
The Nailers had a chance to get back into the game on a four-minute power play after Mariners forward Max Andreev got two penalties, one for roughing and one for cross-checking. However, Nailers forward Matthew Quercia was called for a slashing penalty, ruining the team’s power play with 2:24 remaining. However, Nailers forward Matthew Quercia scored a 4-on-4 goal with 4:47 remaining in the period to cut the Mariners’ lead to 5-1. Quecia’s goal was the last of the second period, as the Mariners took a 5-1 lead heading into the second intermission.
Third Period
The Mariners began the third period on the penalty kill after defenseman Loke Johansson was called for a holding penalty. After killing off Johansson’s penalty, the Mariners got a 5-on-3 power play 6:17 into the period. After failing to score on the 5-on-3 power play, forward Andreev scored on the Mariners’ 5-on-4 power play to put the team up 6-1. It was the Mariners’ fourth power play goal of the game.
After Andreev’s goal, the Nailers scored two goals on special teams. One was a shorthanded goal by forward Zach Urdahl, and the other was a 5-on-3 power-play goal by forward Blake Bennett. The goal Bennett scored cut it to a 6-3 game with 3:29 remaining in regulation, but it was too little too late for a Nailer comeback.
Cavallin made 36 saves to earn the win. Eleven different Mariners recorded at least one point. In relief of Gauthier, D’Aigle made 11 saves.
Game 4 of the series resumes tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET at Cross Insurance Arena. If the Mariners win, they will tie the series at two, and a Game 6 will be needed. If the Nailers win, they will have a chance to clinch the series in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
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