CINCINNATI, OH – February 25, 2024 – Adam Mechura netted the first Maine Mariners hat trick of the season in a 6-3 victory over the Cincinnati Cyclones on Sunday afternoon at Heritage Bank Center. Five Mariners registered multi-point games as they finished a 2-1-1 Midwest road trip.
A pair of Mechura goals in a span of 52 seconds gave the Mariners a 2-1 lead after the opening 20 minutes. His first, on a wrister in the slot, tied the game at one at 15:06, answering a Zach Andrusiak power play goal which opened the scoring for Cincinnati at 9:33. With the Mariners on the man advantage at 15:58, Mechura redirected an Alex Kile feed home to put Maine ahead.
The Mariners extended their lead to 4-1 with two more goals in the second period. Fedor Gordeev ripped off a wrister from the right faceoff circle at 3:37, followed by a Chase Zieky power play goal at 8:45, deflecting a Zach Malatesta shot. Malatesta registered three assists in the game. Andrusiak replicated his first power play with his second of the day at 18:05 of the second to bring the Cyclones back within two.
Andrusiak completed his power play hat trick at 8:10 of the third, bringing the Cyclones within a goal, but Wllyum Deveaux answered with an insurance tally at 12:30. Mechura capped his hat trick at 18:37 when he closed in and made a quick backhand move, preventing the Cyclones from pulling their goaltender. Kyle Keyser earned his third win of the season with 24 saves.
With the win, the Mariners moved into a tie with Worcester for the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division.
The Mariners (22-23-6-0) travel to Norfolk next weekend for a pair of games against the Admirals on Friday and Saturday night. They return home for a 10:30 AM “School Day” game on Tuesday, March 5th vs. Worcester. Single game tickets for all regular season home games are on sale at MarinersOfMaine.com or at the Ware-Butler Box Office inside the Cross Insurance Arena. More information on ticket packages and group discounts can be found by calling 833-GO-MAINE or visiting the Mariners front office at 94 Free St. in Portland. The 2023-2024 season is presented by Hannaford to Go.
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