By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
After losing 2-1 in Game 6 in overtime to the Wheeling Nailers this past Saturday, the biggest game in Maine Mariners history had arrived two nights later, Game 7 of the 2026 North Division Finals series. A win would put the Mariners in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. However, it would end in heartbreak for the Mariners.
The Nailers defeated the Mariners 4-3 in Game 7 at WesBanco Arena. The loss eliminated the Mariners from the 2026 ECHL Playoffs, and the Nailers are now moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals to face the Florida Everblades. The home team won every game of the seven-game series. A rough first period would be the start for the Mariners, and failed power plays critically hurt them in the end as well.
First Period
Momentum quickly got on the Nailers’ side to begin the game at both ends of the ice. Mariners forward Brooklyn Kalmikov had a golden opportunity to score the game’s first goal less than seven minutes in, but Nailers goaltender Taylor Gauthier robbed him with a pad save. Shortly after Gauthier’s save, forward Matthew Quercia scored against Mariners goaltender Luke Cavallin 7:08 into the game to give the Nailers a 1-0 lead.
While playing in just his second game of the 2026 ECHL Playoffs, forward Tanner Andrew scored 6:50 after Quecia’s goal to extend the Nailers’ lead to 2-0. The Mariners had a power play opportunity with 4:04 remaining in the period to get back into the game when Nailers forward Nolan Renwick was called for tripping, but failed to score. The Mariners got another power play exactly three minutes later after Renwick’s penalty ended when Nailers defenseman Brent Johnson was called for holding, but failed to score before the period ended. The Nailers led 2-0 heading into the first intermission, and outshot the Mariners 9-8 in the period.
Second Period
The second period began with the Mariners on a 56-second power play carryover from the first period, but they failed to score. Just 4:01 after the power play expired, Mariners forward Wyllum Deveaux was called for a hooking penalty, giving the Nailers their first power play of the game. However, the Mariners killed off the penalty and then got momentum on their side.
With 11:46 remaining in the period, Mariners defenseman Owen Gallatin scored to cut the deficit to 2-1. After Gallatin’s goal, the Mariners failed on two power play opportunities to tie the game at two before the period ended, as the Nailers led 2-1 heading into the second intermission. Each team had nine shots on goal in the period.
Third Period
Trailing to begin the third period, the Mariners showed desperation to tie the game. At 3:19 of the period, the Mariners got their fifth power play opportunity when Nailers forward Max Graham was called for a high-sticking penalty. However, the Mariners failed again on the power play, finishing 0/5 in the game. Then, the Nailers put the game and series away.
With 3:07 remaining in regulation, Nailers forward Matty De St. Phalle scored to extend the lead to 3-1, then forward Zach Urdahl added an empty-net goal to extend the Nailers’ lead to 4-1. Deveaux scored with 1:09 remaining to cut the deficit to 4-2. Then, the Mariners scored with 26.5 seconds remaining to cut the game to 4-3 thanks to a goal from forward Robert Cronin, but no comeback win would happen.
2025-26 Season Recap
Despite the season ending painfully in seven games, there was a lot to be proud of by the Mariners this season. The Mariners’ 93 points this season set a new team record for points recorded in a single season. Along with that, and more importantly, the Mariners won a playoff series for the first time in franchise history against the Adirondack Thunder in the first round in seven games.
The focus now shifts to next season for the Mariners. The Mariners’ first game of the 2026-27 season will be played on Oct. 17 at DCU Center against the Worcester Railers in Worcester, Massachusetts. A lot of excitement will be throughout Maine for the Mariners next season, given how great the 2025-26 season was.
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