Mariners Clinch Home Ice in First Round with Win Over Admirals

Maine earns second straight victory over Norfolk, will host playoff opener on April 24.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:25am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with players and the puck represented through sharp, overlapping planes of color in navy, green, and red, conveying the dynamic action of the match.A cubist interpretation of the Mariners' dominant victory over the Admirals, capturing the energy and intensity of the playoff-clinching win.Portland Today

The Maine Mariners scored four goals in the second period and defeated the Norfolk Admirals 7-2 on Saturday night, clinching home-ice advantage in the first round of the ECHL playoffs. Maine is now 41-19-6-3 on the season and will host either Adirondack or Reading in the North Division semifinals starting on April 24.

Why it matters

Securing home-ice advantage is a significant boost for the Mariners, who have been strong at home this season. Playing the first-round series in front of their home fans could provide a crucial edge as the team looks to make a deep playoff run.

The details

Jacob Perreault and Linus Hemstrom scored in the first period to give the Mariners the lead. In the second period, Sebastian Vidmar, Perreault, Loke Johansson, and Zach Jordan all found the back of the net to extend the lead to 6-0. Robert Cronin added a goal in the third period, while Carter Korpi scored twice for the Admirals. Brad Arvanitis made 28 saves for Maine, while Alex Worthington stopped 24 shots for Norfolk.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • The Mariners and Admirals will wrap up their weekend series on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 3 p.m.

The players

Jacob Perreault

A forward for the Maine Mariners who scored two goals in the game.

Linus Hemstrom

A forward for the Maine Mariners who scored a goal in the first period.

Sebastian Vidmar

A forward for the Maine Mariners who scored a goal in the second period and has scored in three straight games.

Zach Jordan

A forward for the Maine Mariners who scored a goal in the second period.

Robert Cronin

A forward for the Maine Mariners who scored a goal in the third period and added three assists.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Mariners will host either Adirondack or Reading in the North Division semifinals starting on April 24.

The takeaway

The Mariners' dominant performance against the Admirals secures them home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, a significant advantage as they look to make a deep postseason run. Their strong play at home this season has been a key factor in their success.