KEELEY: MARINERS WEEKLY: SEVENTEEN IS THE MAGIC NUMBER 

BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners 

Mar. 2, 2020 – From New Year’s Eve up through Mar. 1 (this past Sunday), the Mariners played 31 games, representing nearly half-the-total number of games of their schedule. The grind ended with a 6-4 loss to the ECHL’s top team, the South Carolina Stingrays on Sunday afternoon at the Cross Insurance Arena, but an overall successful two month period has put the Mariners in a prime spot to clinch their first playoff appearance in franchise history. The magic number sits at 17 points (any combination of Mariners points gained and Adirondack Thunder points left on the table), with 13 games to go. After a lot of time in the bus, plane, and hotels, the Mariners now remain in New England until Mar. 22, playing only at home or in Worcester for the next six games.

The week that was

Weds, Feb. 26 – MNE: 0, REA: 8

It was a scoreless game through one period, but things got ugly quickly in the 2^nd period, with Reading scoring six goals in the first 12 minutes of the frame. Royals forward Max Willman, who had been reassigned from AHL Lehigh Valley the morning of the game, had five points to lead a relentless Royals attack. It was Maine’s fourth straight loss at Santander Arena with one trip remaining. FULL GAME RECAP

Fri, Feb. 28 – MNE: 3, WHE: 2

In a homecoming of sorts for Riley Armstrong (who worked for the Wheeling Nailers for two seasons as an assistant coach), the Mariners battled back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in the latter stages of the 2^nd period to win the franchise’s first-ever trip to WesBanco Arena. Terrence Wallin scored twice, including a gift goal that was scored by the Nailers on their own net. Greg Chase netted the game-winner in the third and was recalled to Hartford the next day. FULL GAME RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS

Sun, Mar. 1 – SC: 6, MNE: 4

Most of the scoring came in the 2^nd period when each team scored three in what quickly became a see-saw affair. Steve Whitney, who had three points on the day, broke a 4-4 tie late in the 2^nd for what would turn out to be the game-winner when the Mariners were held off the board in the third. Jeff Taylor had three assists for Maine, who got goals from Michael McNicholas, Terrence Wallin, Dillan Fox, and Andrew Sturtz. Each team went 2/3 on the power play. The Mariners fell to 2-4-0-0 against the South Division. FULL GAME RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS

Transactions (oldest to most recent)
MAR 1 – F GREG CHASE WAS RECALLED TO HARTFORD
MAR 1 – F JAKE ELMER WAS REASSIGNED TO MAINE FROM HARTFORD BY THE NY RANGERS

This week’s schedule (all times Eastern)
Fri, Mar. 6 vs. Reading Royals – 7:15 PM (HOME) – THROWBACK NIGHT/80S NIGHT PRESENTED BY PARTNERS BANK
Sun, Mar. 8 vs. Worcester Railers – 3:00 PM (HOME) – I LOVE THE 90S 

The Mariners welcome in the Reading Royals on Friday for the third and final time and the 8^th of nine overall meetings during the 2019-20 regular season. The Royals are now seven points ahead of Maine for 2^nd place in the North, with four games in hand, and have points in six of the seven meetings between the two teams this season. The Mariners will honor the 1980s and the original AHL Mariners franchise by wearing white and orange vintage jerseys of the old Philadelphia Flyers affiliation, which are up for auction now through the Handbid App or at THIS LINK until the start of the third period on Friday. Several Mariners alumni are expected to attend, including Wayne Schaab, Dan Lucas, Terry Murray, and Gary McAdam. Alumni will sign autographs on the concourse during the first intermission. It’s also a 1-2-3 Friday featuring $1 Aquafina, $2 Pepsi products, and $3 Bud Light Drafts through the start of the 2^nd period.

On Sunday, the Worcester Railers visit the Cross Insurance Arena at 3 PM, with the teams still slated for eight meetings before the end of the season. The Railers sit in last place in the North Division and have an elimination number of just eight (points left on the table + points gained by the Brampton Beast). The Mariners have won all five games between the two teams at the Cross Insurance Arena so far this season and are 7-2-0-1 against the Railers overall. Sunday’s promotion is “I Love the 90s,” and Family Four Packs are available when purchased in advance: four tickets, four food and drink vouchers, and four Mariners beverage koozies starting at $80.

Doors open one hour before all Mariners home games, one hour and fifteen minutes for season ticket holders.

Playoff Picture:

The Mariners “Magic Number” is calculated by the combination of points gained and points “not gained” by the first non-playoff team (Adirondack). For example, each Mariners win reduces the number by two, and each overtime or shootout loss reduces it by one. Conversely, each Adirondack regular loss reduces the number by two, and each Adirondack overtime or shootout loss reduces it by one. The top four teams in the division make the playoffs, with the top two getting “home-ice advantage” in the first round. Adirondack travels to Newfoundland for the next three games, beginning Wednesday night. 

Looking ahead:
The Mariners wrap up their homestand on Tuesday, Mar. 10, as they welcome in the Norfolk Admirals at 7 PM in the final non-divisional game of the season. Next weekend features a home-and-home with Worcester: at the DCU Center on Friday, and back at the Cross Insurance Arena on Saturday at 6 PM. Promotions feature “Girls Night Out” and Beacon’s Birthday Bash, with a travel toothbrush giveaway to the first 1,000 kids 12 and under. The full promotional schedule can be found here.

Community Collection:

The Mariners and the Cross Insurance Arena are collecting books for the remainder of the regular season for Ronald McDonald Charities of Maine. Fans who donate three or more books will receive a ticket to a Mariners weekday game. Both children’s and adult’s book donations are welcomed. Items MUST be donated at the Promotions Port to the right of the main security gates. While donations will be accepted at the Mariners office and other Cross Insurance Arena events, fans are not eligible to receive tickets unless the items are donated at a Mariners game.