PORTLAND, ME – February 9, 2019 – A six goal second period put Saturday night’s game out of reach as the Mariners fell to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits by a final score of 8-2 on Saturday night at the Cross Insurance Arena.
The game’s first goal was scored by Chris Izlmirlian, as he deflected Dylan Vander Esch’s offering past Connor LaCouvee at 6:23 of the opening period. As the Mariners went to the power play about five minutes later, Will Merchant skated away on a breakaway and deked LaCouvee to double the Swamp Rabbits lead. It marked the third game in a row with a shorthanded goal allow by the Mariners.
Izmirlian scored a pair in the first 5:15 of the 2nd to complete the hat trick and make it 4-0. It appeared the Mariners would make a comeback bid when Jason Salvaggio and Dillan Fox (PPG) scored at 5:32 and 8:11, but a sloppy defensive sequence resulted in a Michael Pelech goal to stall Mariners momentum. Merchant got his 2nd goal with a power play tally at 12:45 and then Johno May and Izmirlian scored 58 seconds apart to blow the game wide open. The final two goals came against Hannu Toivonen, appearing in his first game since January 13th.
The Mariners buckled down defensively in the 3rd, and outshot Greenville 12-0 (31-28 for the game), but didn’t get any closer than 8-2. Dillan Fox had a goal waived off in the third when he drove the net and was dragged down, the whistle apparently blowing before the puck went in the net.
The Mariners finish the weekend with a Sunday matinee against the Wheeling Nailers at 3:00 PM tomorrow. The game features a postgame skate with the team, sponsored by Redbank Village. Fans must bring their own skates and those under the age of 18 will need a helmet. Any fans who attend all three games this weekend and check in at the Promotions Port are eligible to win a Mariners prize pack. General admission tickets can be purchased HERE or by visiting or calling the Trusted Choice Box Office: 207-775-3458.
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