Railers can’t solve LaCouvee in 2-0 home loss to Mariners

Maine Mariners at Worcester Railers HCDecember 28, 2019DCU CenterMeeting 5 of 18 vs. Maine this seasonRailers are 2-2-1-0 vs. the Mariners this season

Railers can’t solve LaCouvee in 2-0 home loss to MarinersThird largest crowd of the season watch Railers last home game of 2019

Worcester, MA – The Worcester Railers HC (10-18-1-0, 21pts) two game win streak came to a screeching halt with a 2-0 loss to the visiting Maine Mariners (16-11-0-1, 33pts) in front of 6,419 fans at the DCU Center on Saturday evening. The Railers close out the 2019 calendar year with a pair of games in Newfoundland vs. the Growlers on Monday and Tuesday.

Worcester was shutout for the fourth time this season as Evan Buitenhuis made 25 saves on 26 shots in net and played solid enough for the win. Connor LaCouvee made 21 saves in net for the Mariners in his first shutout of the season while Terrence Wallin netted the game winner late in the middle frame to guide Maine offensively.

Neither team found the back of the net in a scoreless first period as Evan Buitenhuis made 10 saves in net for the Railers and Connor LaCouvee made six stops for the Mariners. Maine went 0-1 on the only man advantage as the two clubs headed into the first intermission in a scoreless tie.

Worcester outshot Maine 9-7 in the second period in a rather slow developing frame and it appeared that we were headed into the second intermission scoreless, but Alex Kile carried the puck into the Railers zone and was able to cut behind the defense and drive the net before Terrence Wallin (13th) tapped in a rebound score at 19:48. Maine led 1-0 through 40 minutes of play and held a 17-15 shot advantage.

The Railers were outshot 10-6 in the third period and had a power play late in the frame but came up empty before Alex Kile (7th) found an empty netter at 19:44 to give Maine the 2-0 road victory.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Terrence Wallin (GWG) 2nd star: Evan Buitenhuis (25 saves) 1st star: Connor LaCouvee (21 saves, Win) …. final shots were 27-21 in favor of Maine…Connor LaCouvee (9-5-1) made 21 saves on 21 shots Maine… Evan Buitenhuis (6-10-0) made 25 saves on 26 shots for Worcester while Ian Milosz served as the backup…. Worcester went 0-for-2 on the power play while Maine went 0-for-3…. Yanick Turcotte (susp ECHL), Kyle McKenzie (inj) and Tanner Pond (IR) did not dress for Worcester…. Mike Cornell, David Quenneville, Linus Soderstrom, and Jakub Skarek are all currently on recall with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers…. Kyle Thomas signed a PTO with the San Diego Gulls (AHL) on Dec 26….Worcester skated with 10 forwards and five defensemen…. Connor Doherty is the only Railers player to play in the first 29 games this season…..the Railers are now 6-8-0-0 under coach Cunniff…the crowd of 6,419 was the third highest crowd of the season for Worcester….former Railer TJ Syner was in attendance…the 21 shots for Worcester was the lowest of the season….the Railers fell to 5-10-0-0 at the DCU Center…Worcester is now 5-6-0-0 in the month of December.

What’s on tap – Closes out 2019 on the road!

The Railers hit the road now for four straight games including two in Newfoundland vs. the Growlers to close out 2019. On Monday the puck drops at 5:30pm (ET) and 2:30pm (ET) on Tuesday. After two games in Reading vs. the Royals to kick off 2020, Worcester returns home on Sunday, Jan 5 as the Railers host the Jacksonville IceMen at 3pm on a KIDS GIVEAWAY SUNDAY with the first 1,000 kids 12-and-under receiving Railers mini sticks presented by AvZ Promotions. Score a SUNDAY FUNDAY ticket pack which includes four tickets and four beverage vouchers (beer/soda) for just $60!

Bring a group of 10 or more people to the game and save BIG $$$$ off Box Office pricing and receive a Railers hat for everyone in your group! Plus, score a Railers experience…Zamboni rides, High-Five Tunnel, post-game photo on ice, and more! Call 508-365-1750 for your customized group experience!

Still and Stir located behind the DCU Center provides hockey fans with a great pregame and postgame atmosphere all season long. Watch all road games broadcast live on ECHLTV.com for a small fee. Listen to all Railers games live on 98.9 Nash ICON with coverage beginning 30 minutes before puck drop with Eric Lindquist and Cam McGuire. Full season memberships, mini plans, and group tickets are on sale now by calling the Railers front office at 508-365-1750 or by visiting www.RailersHC.com.

Worcester Railers Hockey….Ride the Train!