WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced the schedule for the North Division Final Series against the Maine Mariners.
The Nailers edged out the Mariners by five points for first place in the North Division during the regular season, so they will have home ice advantage for the second straight round. The series will be played in a 2-3-2 format. Wheeling will host games one and two at WesBanco Arena on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th.
Both of those contests will begin at 7:10 p.m. The series will then shift to Maine’s Cross Insurance Arena for games three, four, and five (if necessary). Those tilts will be played on Monday, May 11th, Tuesday, May 12th, and Wednesday May 13th, and all three will start at 7:00 p.m.
If necessary, games six and seven will return to WesBanco Arena on Saturday May 16th and Monday May 18th, with both opening face-offs slated for 7:10 p.m.
The Nailers earned their third playoff series win in the last five years and 17th all-time by defeating the Reading Royals four games to one in the North Division Semifinal Series. Wheeling outscored Reading, 14-4, and the four goals against tied an ECHL record for the fewest allowed in a five-game series.
Taylor Gauthier was sensational in goal for the Nailers, as he posted a 0.71 goals against average, a .974 save percentage, and three shutouts in the five contests. Matthew Quercia was Wheeling’s leading scorer with six points, while five players scored two goals each.
The final goal of the series was the most exciting one, as Nolan Renwick ended the third longest game in team history at the 7:53 mark of double overtime in game five.
The Mariners earned their first playoff series win team history, and they did so in dramatic fashion by winning game seven over the Adirondack Thunder, 3-1. Defenseman Nick Anderson snapped a 1-1 tie with 3:50 remaining in the third period to give Maine its first lead of the night.
Jacob Hudson was the leading scorer in the series for Maine, as he notched five goals and eight points in the seven matches. Luke Cavallin and Brad Arvanitis shared the workload in goal, with Cavallin playing the four home games (2-2) and Arvanitis playing the three road tilts (2-1).
The Nailers and Mariners played each other five times during the regular season, and four of the five meetings took place prior to Thanksgiving. Wheeling came away with the upper hand, 3-2, as it won both of its home matches and one of three battles in Portland.
The Nailers outscored the Mariners, 9-2, in the two games at WesBanco Arena, while two of the three games at Cross Insurance Arena went past regulation. Former Nailer Brooklyn Kalmikov led all players with eight points for Maine during the season series, while Wheeling’s Mike Posma was the leading goal scorer with four.
The Nailers used four different goaltenders in the five games, while Luke Cavallin and Brad Arvanitis shared the crease for the Mariners.
This will be the first playoff series between Wheeling and Maine. The Nailers are looking to advance to the third round of the postseason for the seventh time in team history and the first time since 2016. The Mariners are coming off of their first playoff series win since beginning play in Portland in 2018.
Wheeling went 46-20-6 for 98 points during the 2025-26 regular season, while Maine posted a 42-21-9 mark for 93 points.
Playoff tickets are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL or visiting wheelingnailers.com. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley.
North Division Final Series
Wheeling Nailers vs. Maine Mariners
Game 1- Fri. May 8 AT WHEELING, 7:10 p.m.
Game 2- Sat. May 9 AT WHEELING, 7:10 p.m.
Game 3- Mon. May 11 at Maine, 7:00 p.m.
Game 4- Tue. May 12 at Maine, 7:00 p.m.
Game 5- Wed. May 13 at Maine, 7:00 p.m. (if necessary)
Game 6- Sat. May 16 AT WHEELING, 7:10 p.m. (if necessary)
Game 7- Mon. May 18 AT WHEELING, 7:10 p.m. (if necessary)
