Max Andreev scored twice and the Maine Mariners earned their 14th win in 16 games, beating the Worcester Railers 4-1 on Saturday at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
The Mariners improve to 35-16-6-2 and remain in second place in the ECHL’s North Division, four points behind Wheeling. Their magic number for clinching a playoff spot is 11.
Andreev scored 3:48 into the game and Linus Hemstrom made it 2-0 just over six minutes later. Anthony Repaci scored to pull Worcester within one later in the first.
Andreev scored again in the third and Brooklyn Kalmikov scored his third goal in the last two games to make it 4-1.
Brad Arvanitis stopped 37 shots for Maine. The Mariners were eight 8 for 8 on the penalty kill.