The Maine Mariners are facing an 0-2 hole in their best of seven East Coast Hockey League North Division Semifinal Playoff series after dropping 2-1 and 5-3 decisions at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania on Friday and Saturday night.
On Friday, Reading broke a scoreless tie when Solag Bakich scored just 21 seconds into the third period. Curtis Hall had the answer for Maine at 13:15 to even things up 1-1. Charlie Gerard gave the Royals the game one win with the final tally of the night at 16:06. Michael DiPietro made 31 saves in the loss for the Mariners, and Reid Stefanson along with Fedor Gordeev had the assists on the lone goal from Hall. On Saturday, a wild start saw the first 20 minutes ending at 2-2. Brendan Hoffman scored first at 5:02 for Reading, before Jacob Wilson made it 1-1 at 6:57. Jacob Gaucher on the powerplay put the Royals ahead again at 13:25, but Maine once again had the answer by Alex-Olivier Voyer at 18:33. The hosts scored both of the goals in the second period by Evan Barratt at 4:07, and then the eventual game winner by Max Newton on the powerplay at 15:10 to take a 4-2 advantage. Former Maine Black Bear Mitchell Fossier pulled the Mariners within 4-3 at 11:49 of the third, but Reading put the game away to take a 2-0 series lead on an empty net goal by Zayde Wisdom at 17:56. DiPietro played the first 43:30 in net in the loss and made 24 saves, while Francois Brassard stopped all 12 shots he faced in relief. Wilson had the goal and also added two assists for Maine. The Mariners are a combined 0-6 on the powerplay in the first two games.
The series now shifts to the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland for games three, four, and if necessary game five Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Faceoff for each night is scheduled for 7 p.m. Maine won two of the three games played in Portland during last seasons North Division Semifinals with Reading, with the Royals taking the series in six games.
Story by Chris Lessner
