PORTLAND, ME – April 29, 2022 – Callum Booth recorded a 32 save shutout while the Mariners used their special teams to score all four goals in a 4-0 win over the Reading Royals in Game 4 of the North Division Semifinals. The series is now tied 2-2, with at least two more games now guaranteed to be played. A crowd of almost 4,000 witnessed the win on Friday night at the Cross Insurance Arena.
The game’s first goal didn’t come until the final minute of the second period. During 4-on-4 hockey, Mathew Santos whipped a one-timer from the left faceoff circle that deflected off of Nick Master and past the glove of Logan Flodell with just 54 seconds left in the middle frame. The Mariners carried the 1-0 lead into the third with the help of Booth, who had 22 saves through 40 minutes.
In the third, the Mariners added insurance with a power play goal at 5:38. Santos put on the brakes just inside the blue line and sent Alex Kile in alone on Flodell. Kile slipped a backhand between the goaltender’s pads to make it a 2-0 game. Kile, who had just returned from AHL Lehigh Valley earlier today, helped the power play net another one at 17:22 when his one-timer was tipped in by Cam Askew giving Maine a three-goal cushion. Keltie Jeri-Leon’s empty netter at 18:21 sealed the 4-0 final.
Booth’s shutout was the second of his ECHL postseason career, and his first since 2019. Flodell stopped 22 of 25. Defenseman Zach Malatesta joined Santos and Kile with a multi-point game, notching a pair of assists. The Mariners have now won their last eight home games, dating back to March 26th. The home team is 4-0 in the Mariners/Royals series and 10-0 in the regular season and postseason series combined.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers