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WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers took care of business against the Maine Mariners, and took over sole possession of first place in the North Division with back-to-back victories at WesBanco Arena. On Saturday night, Mike Posma recorded his second straight two-goal game, while Jake Smith made 22 saves in the 4-1 Wheeling win. The Nailers have now won eight straight contests and are 9-1-0 overall. For the second straight night, the two North Division clubs played to a scoreless draw in the first period, while Wheeling held a 9-7 advantage in shots. The Nailers finally broke the deadlock at the 11:52 mark of the middle frame. David Breazeale worked the puck to the middle of the blueline, where Matthew Quercia launched a shot toward the net. Max Graham got a tip in the slot to collect his team-leading fifth marker of the campaign. With under one minute remaining, Wheeling added to its lead. Brent Johnson let a wrist shot go from the right point, which was stopped by Brad Arvanitis. However, Mike Posma was there to sweep home the rebound for his third goal in two games. The score stayed 2-0 until the 12:20 mark of the third period, when Maine trimmed the margin to one. Shawn Element led Robert Cronin down the slot, and although his first attempt got thwarted, Cronin followed that up to convert on the rebound. The Nailers went back up by two 4:08 later. Craig Armstrong flew down the right side of the ice, then delivered a perfect pass into the left side of the crease for a tap-in by Zach Urdahl. Posma iced Wheeling's 4-1 triumph with his second of the night into an empty net. Jake Smith earned his fourth straight win in goal for the Nailers, as he kicked out 22 of the 23 shots he faced. Brad Arvanitis took the loss for the Mariners, as he made 22 saves on 25 shots. The Nailers will play their next four games against the Reading Royals, starting on Sunday at 3:00 in Reading. The lone home game of that mini-series will be Friday, November 21st. The puck will drop at 6:30, and fans are encouraged to arrive early, as that is the same night as the Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade. That will also be a Frosty Friday, with select $2 beers. Additional upcoming promotions include Bluey Night on November 29th and Wizards & Wands: Spells in the Snow on December 6th. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2025-26 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley. Read the full article

By: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits couldn’t overcome a late two-goal deficit on Saturday night in a 4-2 loss to the South Carolina Stingrays in the season opener at the North Charleston Coliseum. Andrew Cherniwchan opened the scoring for the Stingrays with a shorthanded goal at 17:33 in the first after a lifted puck found its way in front of him with no one between him and the Swamp Rabbits goal. Greenville trailed in the shots 13-10 after the first period of play. Midway through the second period, the Swamp Rabbits drew level as Ben Freeman scored the opening Greenville goal of the 21-22 campaign at the 9:38 mark with a wrist shot off the right-side wing. Gavin Gould and Christian Kåsastul tallied the assists on the goal, marking their first career ECHL points. However, the celebration was short-lived as the Stingray struck back 1:20 later at the 10:58 mark with a Jake Massie goal. The Swamp Rabbits outshot the Stingrays 17-8 in the period and overtook the lead 27-21. THE GAME-WINNER The Stingrays needed just 31 seconds into the third period to score the eventual game-winner with Lawton Courtnall’s first of the game. Greenville closed within a goal at the 18:37 mark as Dallas Gerads scored his first professional goal on a tipped Kevin McKernan shot with the goaltender pulled. The Stingrays would secure the two-goal advantage with Courtnall’s empty-net goal at 19:18. The Swamp Rabbits return home to Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Friday, October 29, to take on the Jacksonville Icemen in their home opener. Greenville will rematch with the Stingrays on the following night, October 30, at home. Swamp Rabbits Single Game Tickets are on sale now! For more information or to secure your seats today, call 864-674-PUCK (7825) or email [email protected] GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS HOME Read the full article

Tralmaks, Brodeur shine as Mariners get 6-3 opening night victory over Railers. PORTLAND, ME – October 22, 2021 – Eduards Tralmaks spent four seasons endearing himself to fans in Northern Maine. However, it took him just one game to win over the hearts of Mariners fans. In Maine’s 6-3 opening night victory over the Worcester Railers on Friday at the Cross Insurance Arena, Tralmaks registered a hat trick, including the game-winning goal. Not to be outdone, goaltender Jeremy Brodeur made 51 saves to shut down a 54-shot Railer attack. A crowd of over 4,500 turned out for the first Mariners regular season game in 591 days, as the Mariners sported black and gold throwback jerseys to commemorate the new Boston Bruins affiliation. After a scoreless first half of the opening period, Tralmaks broke the double zeroes as he drove the net to bury a pass to the short side post from Cam Askew at 13:50. Brodeur’s perfect period was broken at 16:18 when Railers defenseman Nick Albano beat him with a point shot on a 4-on-3 Worcester power play, tying the score. In the final minute of the first, Pascal Laberge put Maine back ahead when he cleaned up a loose puck fed by Justin Brazeau from the right of Worcester goaltender Justin Kapelmaster. The Railers outshot Maine 26-11 in the opening frame. MARINERS ROLL In a much more even second period, the Mariners extended their lead with a power play goal from Lewis Zerter-Gossage at 14:49 of the middle frame. The Mariners gained control off an offensive zone faceoff and immediately moved the puck from circle to circle, Nick Master setting up Zerter-Gossage’s wrister. Maine led 3-1 at the end of two. The Railers quickly got back in the game with a pair of goals in the first 1:16 of the third period. Jacob Hayhurst beat Brodeur’s glove with a nifty crossover move just 51 seconds into the frame, which sparked Mike Cornell’s follow up of Anthony Repaci’s net drive just 25 seconds later to make it 3-3. The Mariners regained the lead at 7:34 when Zerter-Gossage found Tralmaks to Kapelmaster’s right on a 2-on-1 around the Worcester net. Tralmaks then completed the hat trick five minutes later, camped on the doorstep, deflecting a Brazeau power play shot home. Mathew Santos added a goal at 17:50 to complete the 6-3 win. Brodeur made 51 saves in his Mariners debut to win, while Kapelmaster made 28 shots on 34 Maine shots. New Mariners head coach Ben Guite earned his first professional victory in his first game. Guite was a coach at the University of Maine for the past eight seasons. The Mariners will visit Worcester on Saturday for a 7:35 PM faceoff at the DCU Center to finish the weekend. MAINE MARINERS HOME Read the full article

Twelve initial themes were revealed for the 2021-22 promotional schedule BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – July 20, 2021 – The Maine Mariners announced their initial list of major theme nights for the 2021-22 season on Tuesday. Set for a full 36 game home schedule, the Mariners will bring back many favorite theme nights from the past while introducing some new concepts. All theme nights are subject to change, and more will be announced in the coming weeks and months. The 2021-22 season is presented by Hannaford to Go. Opening Night is Friday, October 22nd, against the Worcester Railers at 7:15 PM and is sponsored by Skowhegan Savings. The Mariners will salute local healthcare workers for their dedication through the COVID-19 pandemic. A magnet schedule giveaway will be presented by Portland North Dental. The Mariners have additional surprises planned to celebrate the new Boston Bruins affiliation and the long-awaited return of hockey to the Cross Insurance Arena. On Sunday, October 31st, the Mariners will hold a Halloween-themed game with “Sunday Scaries.” It’s a 3:00 PM afternoon faceoff that will feature a postgame trick-or-treat for kids. In addition, fans are encouraged to dress in costumes and enjoy Halloween music and activities throughout the game. The Mariners partner with the Dempsey Center on Friday, November 5th, a cancer management organization founded by Hollywood star and Lewiston native Patrick Dempsey. November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and the month of “Movember,” a hockey-centric men’s health initiative. The Mariners will raise money for the Dempsey Center through a special ticket package and other opportunities throughout the game. One day after Veteran’s Day is Military Appreciation Night on Friday, November 12th, presented by Martin’s Point, honoring the men and women who served and continue to serve the country. The Mariners will wear special camouflage jerseys, which were voted on by the fans last year. Saturday, December 4th, will be the annual Teddy Bear Toss game, also featuring the theme of the Warner Bros. movie “Elf.” This will also be a specialty jersey game with a holiday theme throughout the night. In addition, fans will be encouraged to dress as Santa Claus – to create a “Santa Con!” “Kids Club Day” will focus on the young fans – an afternoon midweek game during holiday break on Wednesday, December 29th at 3 PM. Members of Beacon’s Kids Club will assist Mariners' staff in-game production and have the opportunity to enjoy game day experiences like watching warmups from the bench or dropping the puck. The entire day will be kid-centric. Ring in 2022 with the Mariners, as well! A long-standing Portland hockey tradition, the New Year’s Eve game returns to the Cross Insurance Arena on the final day of 2021. It’s a 5:00 PM face-off on December 31st. On Sunday, January 9th, a night specifically dedicated to the Boston Bruins affiliation will be “Affiliation Day.” The familiar Bruins black and gold color scheme will be featured, and fans will be encouraged to wear their Bruins gear. On Saturday, January 19th, the popular “Throwback Night” returns, emphasizing “throwing it back” to the 1990s – the last time a Bruins affiliate played in Portland. Ticket prices from the 1990s will make a comeback – with all tickets $8 for the game. In addition, season ticket holders will receive a commemorative throwback ticket stub, and a giveaway will be 90s-themed. Alumni appearances included, as always. “Country Night” is scheduled for Saturday, March 19th. Fans will be encouraged to wear cowboy hats and boots and enjoy country music throughout the game. The much anticipated “Maine Wild Blueberries” will return on Saturday, March 26th. We’ll once again experience “what could have been” if the team naming contest had gone differently, as the Mariners become the Wild Blueberries for a night, including the return of the now-famous jerseys. Oakhurst Dairy sponsors the game, which is part of one of four “3Kends” throughout the season, presented by Three Dollar Deweys. Finally, “Fan Appreciation Weekend” closes out the season on April 15th and 16th, with prizes giveaways throughout each game and a celebration of the people that make Mariners hockey possible – the fans! Additional theme nights, giveaways, special ticket packages, and further information on the themes listed above will be announced in the future. In addition, the complete list of specialty jerseys will also be revealed in a separate announcement. The full 2021-22 Mariners schedule can be found here. Full season, half-season, 12-game mini-plans, and 10-ticket flex plans, as well as group tickets, are available now. All new and existing full and half-season ticket holders who deposit by August 1st are eligible to receive an exclusive Mariners jacket (full) or hooded sweatshirt. (half) For a limited time, to commemorate the new affiliation with the Bruins, ticket package deposits are just $19.92. Single-game tickets will go on sale in September. More information on current ticketing options is available by calling 833-GO-MAINE, emailing [email protected], or visiting MarinersOfMaine.com. HOME Read the full article

Captain of Manhattanville College enters blue line mix BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – September 14, 2020 – The Mariners have added a defenseman to the 2020-21 roster, announcing the signing of rookie Ryan Jackson, out of Manhattanville College (Purchase, NY). Jackson served as captain for the Valiants in 2019-20 and also has a Maine connection, playing formerly for the Portland Jr. Pirates of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). Manhattanville is a Division III program, which competes primarily in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC). Jackson played for four years with the Valiants, wearing a letter in each of his seasons as an upperclassman, and sporting the “C” in 2019-20. A self-described “two-way defenseman,” Jackson had his moments of offensive production, putting up double figure point totals in his sophomore and senior seasons. He finished his collegiate career with 45 points (13 goals, 32 assists) in 104 games. Jackson was a two time UCHC All-Academic Team selection as a junior and a season. He was also named Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2017-18. “I’m always looking for DIII players that have developed over their college careers that might have been overlooked by DI teams,” said Riley Armstrong, Mariners Head Coach and Assistant General Manager. “I feel the way Ryan skates and how well he defends, he will be a good pro. Being a right shot defenseman also always helps the cause. Read the full article

Alternate captain returns for fourth year pro, second in Maine BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – September 8, 2020 – The Maine Mariners announced the re-signing of defenseman Marc-Olivier Crevier-Morin on Tuesday. Crevier-Morin, a three-year pro, was an alternate captain during the 2019-20 season, his first as a Mariner. “I’m really excited to be back in Maine for another season,” said Crevier-Morin. “I can’t wait to get the season started and play some hockey again.” Crevier-Morin, 24 years old, appeared in 49 games for the Mariners last season, scoring four goals with nine assists. The four goals were a career high for the defensive minded blue-liner, who joined the Mariners as a free agent last summer. Crevier-Morin spent the first two seasons of his professional career with the Wichita Thunder. As a rookie, he appeared in 68 of the Thunder’s 72 games in 2017-18, plus six playoff contests. He played 56 games for Wichita in 2018-19, while under contract with their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. Prior to turning pro, Crevier-Morin played just under 200 games over four seasons with the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL. Crevier-Morin was named an alternate captain for the Mariners prior to the start of the 2019-20 season, joining Zach Tolkinen (C), Terrence Wallin (A), and Scott Savage (A), who were also captains in the franchise’s inaugural season of 2018-19. Read the full article

Rookie forward looks to remain in New England to start pro career BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – August 31, 2020 – The Maine Mariners announced the signing of rookie forward Jonathan Desbiens on Monday, adding to their 2020-21 roster. Desbiens most recently played for Bentley University (Waltham, MA), graduating this past spring. “The Mariners were one of the first teams to call me and during I was really hoping to sign somewhere,” said Desbiens. “When they talked about offering me a contract I was really excited. I really like the East Coast and I’ve had a couple of friends playing for Maine the last couple of years and they’ve said all great things about the team.” Desbiens is originally from Montreal, Quebec and took an interesting route to college hockey. He began his junior career in the United States Hockey League with the Lincoln Stars, playing in 48 games in 2013-14, with six goals and four assists. From there he headed back to Canada and the British Columbia Hockey League, joining the West Kelowna Warriors. Of his two seasons in the BCHL, 2015-16 was his breakout campaign, as he put up 83 points in 58 games (44 goals, 39 assists), leading the Warriors and finishing sixth in the league scoring race. West Kelowna went on to win the BCHL Championship, as well as the RBC Cup (Canadian Junior A National Championship). Desbiens led all BCHL players in playoff goals, with 15. Read the full article

Nick Master Re-Signs With Mariners BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – July 27, 2020 – The Mariners added another forward to the mix for 2020-21, announcing the re-signing of Nick Master on Monday. Master originally became a Mariner at the end of the 2018-19 season, but missed the majority of 2019-20 with a wrist injury. “I’m really excited to get back on the ice with the guys considering last year was cut short for me,” said Master. “Seeing both sides of the game from being on the ice and watching last year really made me appreciate not only the game, but the city of Portland and their fan base.” Out of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Master joined the Mariners in late March of 2019, after finishing his collegiate career. He found immediate success, registering seven points (three goals, four assists) in eight games with the Mariners down the stretch. The native of Broomall, PA then re-signed in the summer of 2019. On October 26th, 2019, while playing in his sixth game of 2019-20, Master suffered a wrist injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He had scored one goal in six games. “Being injured last season gave me the opportunity to see what it takes at the pro level and what things I need to be prepared for this upcoming season, said Master. “I can’t stress enough how excited I am to play again and put on that Maine sweater.” Master, Read the full article