MARINERS WEEKLY: 2020 VISION

Dec. 30, 2019 – Here we are, on the brink of a new decade. The memories of the last 10 years for the Maine Mariners ECHL franchise only take up the last two or so, but it was a busy two years and a lot happened on the ice in a season and a half. As it stands, on the penultimate day of 2019, the Mariners are in a very familiar spot, with a near identical record as they had at this time a year ago, but their visions for 2020 are much grander than the second half of last season. They’ll ring in the New Year with a game in Reading, before headed home to the Cross Insurance Arena in hopes of starting 2020 with a bang.

The week that wasThursday, Dec. 26th – ADK: 1, MNE: 5

The Mariners made it a perfect six for six against the Adirondack Thunder in the month of December, winning in blowout fashion for the first time in that span. Ryan Dmowski registered his first professional multi-goal game by scoring the first two goals of the contest, and 12 Mariners in total registered points. Connor LaCouvee won his fifth consecutive start, and the Mariners officially pulled ahead of the Thunder for fourth place in the North Division. 

Friday, Dec. 27th – REA: 5, MNE: 0

After a spirited opening period drew to a 0-0 tie, the Mariners let Reading control the rest of the game, set off by three goals in a five minute span in the middle frame. Former Mariner Luke Stork had a goal and an assist, and Felix Sandstrom posted the shutout. The Mariners missed a chance to pull within one point of third place.

Saturday, Dec. 28th – MNE: 2, WOR: 0

Although their scoreless streak reached almost five full periods, Terrence Wallin found the net in the final seconds of the 2nd to break a scoreless tie. That was all that Connor LaCouvee and the Mariners defense needed, as they allowed a season low 21 shots, LaCouvee stopping them all for his first pro shutout. Alex Kile added an empty net goal for good measure, bringing his road point streak to eight games – equal to Wallin’s. The win was the Mariners fifth in six road contests.