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PORTLAND — They make up Maine’s top line for a reason.

Max Andreev, Brooklyn Kalmikov and Jacob Hudson all delivered multi-point performances in Game 5 of the ECHL North Division finals Wednesday, helping the Mariners to a 5-3 win over the Wheeling Nailers and a 3-2 series lead.

Andreev and Kalmikov each scored twice and added an assist, Hudson assisted on goals by both of his linemates, and Xander Lamppa also notched two assists.

“To be honest with you, first day I saw Huddy on the ice, I knew that I was going to have instant chemistry with him,” Andreev said. “And same thing with Kally. The way he wants to play the game, the skill he’s got, I’ve played with players like him pretty much most of my career. I mean, just great players, both of them, and it’s been really fun playing with those two.”

That trio has had a hand in 12 of Maine’s 17 goals this series. Now they’ll have a chance to help the Mariners clinch the series Saturday night at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia. If needed, Game 7 would be Monday night in West Virginia.

The home team has been victorious in each game so far. Wheeling looked eager to steal a road win early in Game 5 when Ryan McAllister gathered his own blocked shot at the crease and sent it past Maine goalie Luke Cavallin (20 saves) at 4:51 of the opening period.

The Mariners, however, were committed to finishing their checks, whether with sticks or bodies. Aggressive forechecking helped them to score twice in a 41-second span midway through the period: first Ben Allison, who earned three points in his postseason debut Monday, and then Andreev.

At 5:03 of the second, Andreev made it 3-1 with a wide-open power-play goal from the low right circle.

“I thought we controlled the offensive zone,” Mainers coach Rick Kowalsky said. “And those (Wheeling) guys that are skilled guys, they want the puck. They want to play in the offensive zone. They want to get on the rush, and now they (have) to defend. I think that led to the frustration, which in turn leads to penalties and them getting out of their, like you said, rhythm.”

Both of Kalmikov’s third-period goals came on odd-man rushes, with Andreev finding the left winger during a 2-on-1 at 4:14 and Lamppa setting him up on a 3-on-1 at 12:15, shortly after Kalmikov returned to the ice from serving a bench minor.

The Nailers answered each of those goals. A power-play goal from Brayden Edwards cut the margin to 4-2, and Matty De St. Phalle’s put in a rebound with 2:04 remaining to again pull the Nailers within two. Wheeling removed goalie Taylor Gauthier (31 saves) for an extra attacker, but Maine’s connected defensive effort didn’t budge.

“Obviously, the job’s not finished, but I think we feel really good about our game right now,” Lamppa said. “It was a great overall effort by the whole lineup, and so there’s nothing to feel bad about right now for us.”