3 min read

PORTLAND — By Friday’s standard, the first fight of Saturday evening was belated.

The jostling between the Maine Mariners and Adirondack Thunder started 30 seconds into Game 2 of the ECHL North semifinals, and players were scrapping on the ice less than three minutes into the first period.

The fighting calmed down a bit by the third period, and Maine made a late push in the final minute, but Adirondack had already gained the upper hand without a true knockout blow. The Mariners were worn down by speed and physicality, and Adirondack took advantage of lapses in discipline and composure by the hosts on the way to a 3-2 series-tying win at Cross Insurance Arena.

The best-of-seven series heads to Glens Falls, New York, for the next three games, starting on Wednesday.

“They got the better of us in that regard, got us off our game, and it impacted our play,” Mariners coach Rick Kowalsky said. “We talked about it as a team going into this, you know, it’s an emotional roller coaster, and there’s momentum swings, officiating has a factor in that, (but) you got to stay even keel. And they did a better job of that tonight than we did.

“Especially in the second (period), I thought we were just totally distracted with calls against and chirping and all that stuff. There’s gamesmanship involved in that, but you still have to play hockey.”

After a fight broke out in front of the team benches at 2:54 of the opening period, three players from each squad were sent to the box with matching roughing minors. Mariners forward Sebastian Vidmar was also assessed an interference penalty, giving the Thunder their first of six power plays.

Justin Taylor, the ECHL’s all-time leader in games played, capitalized on the opportunity, giving the visitors an early edge by deflecting a pass from Kevin O’Neil past goalie Luke Cavallin. Jeremy Hanzel also got an assist.

“We got to keep our composure,” Mariners captain Wyllum Deveaux said. “It’s one of our mantras going in, and in a seven-game series, I mean, there’s going to be emotion, there’s mental tactics, whatever you want to call it. We got to stay focused on our process. I think we got away from it tonight, so that’s going to be a key moving forward here.”

Mariners forward Jacob Hudson quickly tied the game with a quick deflection of his own, redirecting Loke Johansson’s shot from the top at 5:59.

Taylor, though, scored his second goal of the period at 13:41 when he gathered a puck lost in traffic near the net and sent it past Cavallin (32 saves).

In Game 1, the Mariners outshot the Thunder 51-16. In Game 2, the Mariners were outshot 35-28, including 19-4 in the second period. It didn’t help that Maine committed four penalties during the middle period and were often facing draws in their defensive zone.

“Last night, we were the hunters,” Deveaux said. “Tonight, I think we were the hunted.”

Taylor bookended his night with an assist on Matt Salhany’s empty-netter with 1:32 remaining, then blocked shot on the Mariners’ final attempt after they again cut the deficit to one goal.

The Mariners almost made the wave of fans who left early regret their decision. Antonio Venuto tipped in Jacob Perreault’s shot with 38 seconds left, and Maine then created good chances off back-to-back faceoff wins in its offensive zone.

“Regroup, you know, refocus,” Hudson said. “They got the one tonight, and like I said, we have to have a short memory and go in (their rink) and steal a couple games.”