The Worcester Railers, still mathematically alive for the playoffs but essentially playing for nothing but pride, overcame a two goal deficit after losing two of their top goal scorers to injuries and scored three straight goals to defeat the Maine Mariners 3-2 in overtime at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
Down 2-1 late in the second period Alex Kile threw a vicious elbow to the head of Barry Almeida, sending him down to the ice and out of the game. Once the Railers send the video to the ECHL Kile should be getting a suspension, but referee Matt Menniti decided it was only a minor penalty. In the third Shane Walsh was taken hard to the board and had to leave the game. During the overtime period, both were seen in street clothes watching the contest.
For the first two goals of the contest, we’ll link to videos posted on Twitter by the Mariners.
1. MNE Nuttle, (2) (Bleackley, Sturtz), 9:49
1. MNE Fox, (23) (Wallin, Kile), 19:19 (PP)
For the last three, including a highlight overtime goal by Drew Callin, we’ll point toward the Railers Twitter account
2. WOR Murray, (2) (MacKinnon, Olsson), 10:09
3. WOR Poulsen, (13) , 11:44
OT. WOR Callin, (14) (McGurty, Matsushima), 4:27
GAME NOTES
Scratches for the Railers were Mike Cornell, Connor Doherty, JD Dudek (14-day IR/upper), Tanner Pond (14-day IR/upper) Kyle Thomas (14-day/lower), and Yanick Turcotte (14-day IR/upper). Ian Milosz was the backup goaltender. Cornell missed the game as his wife is expecting their second child any moment now.
The three stars of the game were
1. WOR – 72 Drew Callin
2. MNE – 13 Dillan Fox
3. WOR – 10 Tyler Poulsen
The 210Sports Player of the Game was Eddie Matsushima.
Even Strength Lines
Almeida / Callin / Griffin
Olsson / Matsushima / Walsh
Feasey / Vizzo / Poulsen
DeVito
Murray / MacKinnon
Stander / McGurty
Chukarov / Macnee
BOXSCORE
Worcester 0 1 1 1 – 3
Maine 2 0 0 0 – 2
1st Period-1, Maine, Nuttle 2 (Bleackley, Sturtz), 9:49. 2, Maine, Fox 23 (Wallin, Kile), 19:19 (PP). Penalties-Almeida Wor (roughing), 18:14.
2nd Period-3, Worcester, Murray 2 (MacKinnon, Olsson), 10:09. Penalties-McGurty Wor (hooking), 11:25; Poulsen Wor (hooking), 18:41; Kile Mne (elbowing), 18:59.
3rd Period-4, Worcester, Poulsen 13 11:44. Penalties-Bleackley Mne (holding), 0:19; Taylor Mne (slashing), 4:24; Olsson Wor (high-sticking), 18:25.
OT Period-5, Worcester, Callin 14 (McGurty, Matsushima), 4:27. Penalties-served by Sturtz Mne (bench – too many men), 1:40.
Shots on Goal-Worcester 11-9-8-3-31. Maine 11-13-6-2-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Worcester 0 / 3; Maine 1 / 4.
Goalies-Worcester, Buitenhuis 13-19-1-0 (32 shots-30 saves). Maine, LaCouvee 20-13-2-1 (31 shots-28 saves).
A-2,732
Referees-Matt Menniti (10).
Linesmen-Shane Kanaly (74), Nathan Frechette (49).
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