Two former Reading Royals come back to haunt their former team.
Whether players admit it or not, playing against their former team brings an extra rush of adrenaline.
Mariners goaltender Nolan Maier and defenseman Mason Millman teamed up to shut out their former club 3-0 Saturday night at the Cross Insurance Arena. Even better, it was against division rivals.
Maier made 14 saves, while Millman notched a goal and an assist as the pair faced their former team for the first time.
Millman wasted no time getting Maine on the board. Less than two minutes into the game, both teams were skating 4-on-4 after incurring offsetting roughing penalties.
Millman gloved the puck in the slot and rifled a low wrister past Reading goalie Keith Petruzzelli for his second goal of the season and first against his former team. The Mariners outshot Reading 12-3 in the frame.
The score remained unchanged until 18:22 into the second period when Millman struck again, this time on the power-play. His shot was deflected at the left side of the net by Owen Pederson for his first goal of the season. Millman picked up the helper.
Mariners defenseman Justin Bean put the game away with a slick passing play from Bennett Stockdale and Nick Jermain at the 11:24 mark of the third period.
The goal went under review for a possible kick, but was upheld for a 3-0 lead and the final score.
Meanwhile, Maier earned his third career shutout, with help from a solid defensive effort. The win was Maier’s first as a Mariner.
Maine moves to 2-4-0 on the season, stopping a three-game losing skid. They bounce back from the losing end of a 4-0 shutout at the hands of the Worcester Railers the previous Sunday.
Reading has now dropped three straight on their current four-game road trip and fall to 4-4-0 for the season. The two teams will battle it out once again in Portland, with puck drop set for 3:00 Pm ET.