The Maine Mariners pulled off back to back home wins on Monday and Tuesday night at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland to even their ECHL North Division Semifinal Playoff series with the Reading Royals at 2-2. Maine, who lost the first two games on the road in Reading, now have a chance to grab a series lead in Portland Wednesday night before the location changes back to Pennsylvania for games six and seven (if necessary).
On Monday night, Maine forced overtime when a Carter Johnson shot glanced off Tim Doherty and into the net with 2:06 left in the third period to tie it 3-3. In the extra session, Reading was called for a delay of game with 6:05 left. On the powerplay, Curtis Hall found an open Alex-Olivier Voyer at the left faceoff circle who snapped it past a sprawling Reading Royals goaltender Pat Nagle at 14:58 to end it. The game winner came on the 50th shot on goal on the night for the Mariners.
On Tuesday, Johnson registered three goals in the third period for a hat trick as Maine evened the best of seven series with a 7-3 win. With the Mariners leading 4-2, Johnson scored the game winner at 6:18 of the final period as he skated down the left wing and fired a shot short side that beat Reading goalie Nolan Maier who was making his first playoff start. He capped off his hat trick scoring at 15:18 and then sliding one into an empty net at 18:14.
Francois Brassard earned both wins in net for Maine stopping 36 shots each night. Along with the three points from Johnson on Tuesday night, four other Mariners skaters registered multiple points to help tie the series. Alex Kile had three assists, Matthew Santos and Gabriele Chicoine had one goal and one assist, while Marc-Olivier Duquette added two assists. Game five Wednesday night in Portland is a 7 p.m. faceoff.
Recaps/photos/video by Chris Lessner
(Photos and videos from the 4-3 overtime win by Maine on Monday night)
Game three overtime game winner by VoyerÂ
