Knight Monsters Continue Winning Ways With Overtime Win In Maine

The Tahoe Knight Monsters rang in 2025 the same way they wrapped up 2024: with an overtime victory.

After taking two of three games in overtime against the Tulsa Oilers last week, Tahoe started a long road trip in Portland, Maine, edging the Mariners 3-2 in another OT thriller.

Brennan Kapcheck notched the game-winner, Simon Pinard scored his 18^th goal, and Jordan Papirny had a stellar performance in net for the Knight Monsters, who have won five of their last six overtime games. The two points helped them keep pace with the Kansas City Mavericks at the top of the Mountain Division.

Both teams had high-danger chances in the first period, but it was Maine who struck first with less than two minutes left. Jimmy Lambert got one past Papirny on a two-on-one to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead.

Just 90 seconds later, the Knight Monsters answered back on a power play. Pinard fired a wrister past Maine netminder Ryan Bischel to tie the game 1-1. Pinard came into the game tied for third in the ECHL with 17 goals.

The power-play goal was Pinard's eighth of the season, tying his total from last year with Savannah and putting him atop the league lead.

Tahoe dominated the high-danger looks in the second period, outshooting the Mariners 15-8. Once again, however, Maine took a 2-1 lead when Lyndon McCallum fired in a wrister.

That’s when Jake McGrew came to the rescue for Tahoe. He showed patience and persistence after failing to convert two chances on the doorstep.

McGrew finally lit the lamp on the third try, nailing one past Bischel to tie the score again 2-2. It was his ninth goal of the season.

Papirny stiffened his resolve in the third period, stopping all 13 Mariner shots he faced. Bischel was just as stingy on the other end, and the two teams headed to overtime.

It took Kapcheck just 42 seconds to seal the 3-2 victory for Tahoe, taking a stretch pass from Bear Hughes for a breakaway to the net and finding the five-hole for the win. The goal came under review but was upheld.

The Knight Monsters have now won three straight and improve to 19-8-2-1 overall. Papirny notched his seventh win of the season in goal, stopping 34 of 36 shots.

The two teams square off once again on Saturday in Maine, with puck drop set for 3 Pm CT.