MARINERS WEEKLY: CLOSING THE POINTS GAP

Dec. 9, 2019 – A pair of high scoring affairs took place over the weekend between the Mariners and Adirondack Thunder, as the teams played back-to-back 5-4 games in a home-and-home last Friday and Saturday. The Mariners prevailed in both and although Adirondack gained a point in Friday’s overtime loss, Maine closed the gap from seven points to four in the race for fourth place (and the final playoff spot) in the North Division, with the first quarter of the season in the rear-view mirror. It was the first sequence of consecutive wins for the Mariners outside of their four game streak at the beginning of November and they’ll look to keep December perfect with three games this week – including an appearance by Santa Claus himself on Tuesday in Portland!

The week that was

Friday, Dec. 6th – MNE: 5, ADK: 4/OT

The Mariners were seeking just their second win in their seventh all-time trip to Glens Falls and looked to be in good shape when they built up a 3-0 lead within the first 6:20 of the second period on goals by Jake Elmer, Terrence Wallin, and Ted Hart. Elmer added another moments after Adirondack finally broke the board and Maine had a comfy 4-1 lead, which shrunk to 4-2 through the end of the 2nd. The Thunder rallied with a pair of goals from Robbie Payne to tie it up in the 3rd, but exactly halfway through overtime, Elmer completed his second hat trick of the season against Adirondack to give the Mariners the two points.

Saturday, Dec. 7th – ADK: 4, MNE: 5

Saturday’s game switched venues but played out in similar back-and-forth fashion. Elmer got the sacred Teddy Bear Toss goal just 2:15 into the game, but Adirondack got three in short order to take a two goal lead. Ryan Gropp and Ryan Ferrill scored to knot the game at three, but the Thunder used the power play to go back ahead before the end of the 2nd period. Elmer capped an unbelievable weekend with his fifth goal in two games to tie it at four, and it was Ty Ronning, who had just been reassigned from the AHL less than 24 hours prior, coming up with the game-winning shorthanded goal to give Maine the weekend sweep.

This week’s schedule (all times Eastern)Tues, Dec. 10 vs. Adirondack Thunder – 7:00 PM (HOME) – Santa Claus in town!Fri, Dec. 13 @ Worcester Railers – 7:05 PM (AWAY)Sat, Dec. 14 @ Worcester Railers – 7:05 PM (AWAY)