The Maine Mariners lost 2-1 in overtime to the Wheeling Nailers in Game 6 of the North Division Finals at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia on Saturday night. The best of seven series is now tied 3-3, with Game 7 coming up Monday night in Wheeling.
Former Maine Black Bear Nolan Renwick scored a second period goal for a 1-0 Wheeling lead, before defenseman Michael Underwood evened it for Maine with 11:45 left in regulation. That was the first career professional goal regular season or postseason for Underwood. Ben Allison had an overtime breakaway for the Mariners and a chance to end the series, but was turned away by Taylor Gauthier. Zach Jordan took a slashing penalty with 4:40 left in overtime putting the guests shorthanded, and Emil Pieniniemi scored on a hard shot from the very high point at 17:00 of the extra session to end it and force Game 7. Luke Cavallin made 46 saves in the loss for Maine, and Jacob Hudson had an assist on the Underwood goal. The Mariners went 0-3 on the powerplay and were outshot 48-32. The decisive Game 7 is set for a 7:10 p.m. face-off on Monday night with a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals on the line. The Nailers are now 5-0 at home in this year’s Kelly Cup Playoffs.
