By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
Through six games, the North Division Finals series between the Maine Mariners and Wheeling Nailers has been a classic. The home team has won every game of the series, and now one game remains to decide it all. The pressure and intensity for tonight will be high, and it’s the biggest game in the Mariners franchise history.
Game 7 between the Mariners and Nailers is tonight at WesBanco Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. The Mariners are looking to win and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
This series started with the Nailers winning the first two games in Wheeling, West Virginia. Then, the Mariners won the next three games at home in Portland, Maine, to take a 3-2 series lead. This past Saturday, Game 6 arrived, and the series shifted back to Wheeling. The Mariners had a chance to wrap up the series, but the Nailers denied them any celebration on their home ice.
The Nailers jumped out to a 1-0 lead early in the second period thanks to a goal from forward Nolan Renwick. The Mariners appeared to have no momentum at all. Then, defenseman Michael Underwood tied the game at one for the Mariners with 11:45 remaining in regulation. The goal Underwood scored was the first in his ECHL career after playing in 118 games. Overtime would then be needed to determine a winner.
Game 6 was the third time the Mariners and Nailers needed overtime in the series. The Nailers won Game 1 in overtime, followed by the Mariners winning Game 4 in double overtime. Mariners forward Zach Jordan was called for a slashing penalty with 4:40 remaining in overtime, to give the Nailers a power play. Jordan’s penalty proved to be costly, as Nailers forward Emil Pieniniemi scored the overtime winner on the power play with three minutes remaining.
After losing all three games of the series in Wheeling and losing Game 6 with a chance to win the series, the pressure on the Mariners for Game 7 tonight is immense. If there was something positive from Game 6, it was goaltender Luke Cavallin continuing his excellent play. Cavallin made 46 saves in the loss, as he faced pressure throughout the game from the Nailers’ offense. After allowing five goals in two of the three games in Portland, Nailers goaltender Taylor Gauthier responded by making 31 saves in the win.
While the Mariners are going to face a tough battle going up against the Nailers on the road in a winner-take-all game, the team does have Game 7 experience from this year’s playoffs. Last round, the Mariners needed a Game 7 after losing both Game 5 and Game 6 to the Adirondack Thunder in overtime. The Mariners responded by winning 3-1 in Game 7 at home to eliminate the Thunder. So, the Mariners know the pressure of playing in a Game 7.
This series has been exciting and incredible, but it must end with one winner. The winner of tonight’s game will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals to take on the Florida Everblades. Last night, the Everblades won 3-1 in Game 5 over the South Carolina Stingrays in the South Division Finals series to advance to the Conference Finals. Now, the Everblades are waiting for an opponent to be determined.
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