Mariners down Wolverines and take first overall in league

The Yarmouth Mariners treated their fans to a 6-3 win in their final home game of the regular season on Sunday as they downed the Halifax Wolverines, claiming the position of first overall for the 2007/2008 regular MJAHL season.

League-leading scorer Itan Chavira got things going late in the first as he moved one past Kirk Rafuse on assists from Alex Soucy and Steve Pearson. But just 18 seconds later the Wolverines tied the game on a marker from Tanner Manson.

In the second period, Justin Saulnier scored for Yarmouth, but that was followed up by a goal from Ari Lifschultz at 13:23 on the powerplay. But Danny Anger scored at 17:49 to send Yarmouth to a 3-2 lead going into the third. At the 1:20 mark, Justin Saulnier earned his second of the game, lifting Yarmouth to a 4-2 lead. Mickey MacDonald would score the final Halifax goal on the powerplay and then the Mariners answered with two goals, one from Ryan Penney and another from Jordan Scott to seal the 6-3 win.

Dallas Ungurian stopped 26 of 29 in net for the Mariners while Kirk Rafuse was busier, turning aside 42 of 48 faced for Halifax.

Both teams have just one game remaining and it's against each other on Tuesday night in Bridgewater.

Heading into Sunday’s game the Yarmouth Mariners had already clinched the Bent Division title. The win gave saw them take the league with 88 points. The Mariners record, heading into their final game of the regular season, sits at 42 wins, 11 losses and four overtime/shootout losses.

The Mariners now have a rest period prior to playoffs as the team awaits the winner of the mini-series that will come between the Amherst Ramblers and the Halifax Wolverines.

Meanwhile on the other side of the league, the Miramichi Timberwolves, at 87 points, won all three of their games last week, propelling them towards capturing the Meek Division.



The following is a recap of scoring from the Mariners/Wolverines game Sunday.



1st Period Scoring

YM, Itan Chavira, (Alexandre Soucy, Steve Pearson), 14:37

HW, Tanner Manson, (Derek Fulton, Coady Biron), 14:55



1st Period Penalties

YM, Yarmouth Bench, Too Many Men - Minor 0:45

YM, Ryan Penney, Interference - Minor 5:21

HW, Anton Manson, High Sticking - Minor 6:12

HW, Scott Friars, Interference - Minor 13:27

HW, Michael Snow, Roughing - Minor 14:07

YM, Scott Sack, Charging - Minor 14:07

YM, Justin Saulnier, Slashing - Minor 14:07



2nd Period Scoring

YM, Justin Saulnier, (Itan Chavira, Alexandre Soucy), 6:22

HW, Ari Lifschultz, (Anton Manson, Derek Fulton), - PP, 13:23

YM, Danny Anger, (Itan Chavira, Brandon Lowndes), 17:49



2nd Period Penalties

YM, Brendon MacDonald, Slashing - Minor 11:32

YM, Justin Saulnier, Cross Checking - Minor 18:45



3rd Period Scoring

YM, Justin Saulnier, (Dakota Johnson, Steve Pearson), 1:20

HW, Mickey MacDonald, (Derek Fulton), - PP, 10:47

YM, Ryan Penney, (Steve Pearson, Jordan Scott), - PP, 16:17

YM, Jordan Scott, (Ryan Penney, Danny Anger), 18:28



3rd Period Penalties

YM, Nathan Gates, Charging - Minor 5:58

YM, Alexandre Soucy, High Sticking - Minor 9:55

HW, Michael Snow, Hooking - Minor 13:38

HW, Tanner Manson, Slashing - Minor 14:55







3 stars

Star 1: YM - Steve Pearson

Star 2: YM - Justin Saulnier

Star 3: YM - Jordan Scott



Game Details

Start 4 p.m.

End 6:22 p.m.

Officials: Bob Best, John MacKinnon, Kyle Boudreau

Attendance: 1243

Played at: Mariners Centre