Maine Mariners Face Adirondack Thunder in Final Matchup of Season

The Mariners look to bounce back after a tough stretch against the Trois-Rivieres Lions as they host the Thunder for the 15th and final time this season.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:55am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game, with sharp geometric shapes in navy, red, and white representing the players, puck, and arena in an abstract, multi-angled composition.The final showdown between the Mariners and Thunder this season promises an intense, high-stakes clash as both teams jockey for playoff positioning.Portland Today

The Maine Mariners will host the Adirondack Thunder tonight at Cross Insurance Arena in their final regular season matchup of the year. The Mariners are coming off a difficult stretch where they lost three of their last four games against the Trois-Rivieres Lions, while the Thunder enter on a six-game losing skid. Despite sitting in second place in the North Division with 86 points, the Mariners have struggled against the Thunder this season, winning just 4 of their 14 previous meetings.

Why it matters

This game represents the final chapter in the season-long rivalry between the Mariners and Thunder, two teams jockeying for playoff positioning in the North Division. The Mariners will look to get back on track offensively after scoring just 4 goals combined in their last 4 games, while the Thunder hope to snap their recent losing streak and gain ground in the division standings.

The details

The Mariners' recent 4-game series against the Lions was a tough one, with the team losing 3 of those contests. Offensively, they struggled, scoring just 4 goals total. Their last game was a 3-0 shutout loss on Sunday, with all 3 Lions goals coming in the first period. The lone Mariners win in that stretch was a 2-1 victory on Saturday, with goals from Robert Cronin and Antonio Venuto. The Thunder, meanwhile, enter on a 6-game losing skid, including two one-goal losses to the Norfolk Admirals. Adirondack forward Brannon McMannus leads the team with 28 goals and 63 points, while defenseman Jeremy Hazel has 41 points.

  • Tonight's game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop.
  • This is the 15th and final meeting of the season between the Mariners and Thunder.

The players

Brannon McMannus

Adirondack forward who leads the team with 28 goals and 63 points.

Jeremy Hazel

Adirondack defenseman who has 41 points, second-most on the team.

Luke Cavallin

Maine goaltender who made 26 saves in the team's 3-0 loss to the Lions.

Brad Arvanitis

Maine goaltender who made 27 saves in the team's 2-1 win over the Lions.

Robert Cronin

Maine forward who scored a goal in the team's 2-1 win over the Lions.

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What they’re saying

“We must regroup and find our offensive rhythm again as we close out the regular season. These final home games are crucial for our playoff positioning.”

— Robert Cronin, Maine Mariners forward

What’s next

The Mariners will look to build momentum heading into the playoffs with their remaining home games, while the Thunder hope to climb the standings and secure a postseason berth.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Mariners and Thunder represents the culmination of a season-long rivalry between two North Division foes battling for playoff positioning. The Mariners will aim to get back on track offensively and secure a season series win, while the Thunder hope to end their recent skid and gain ground in the standings.