The excitement is building as the Maine Mariners gear up for their fifth ECHL season, set to kick off this Friday, October 20th, in Quebec. Their opponents? None other than their conference rivals, the Trois-Rivières Lions. The intensity will continue to rise as they return home to the Cross Insurance Arena on Saturday, October 21st, for a back-to-back showdown against the Lions.
The Mariners got a taste of action in their brief preseason last weekend when they faced off against the Worcester Railers at the Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn. The first game resulted in a thrilling 4-2 victory for the Mariners. However, they had little time to rest, as they were back in action the following night, this time on the road at the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center, where they were narrowly defeated by the Railers with a matching 4-2 score.
As the actual season opener approaches this Friday at Colisée Vidéotron in Quebec, it’s worth noting that this venue holds special significance. It’s where the Mariners began their journey last year, and it’s where Terrence Wallin secured his first victory as head coach. This trip also marks the Mariners’ first visit to Trois-Rivières, a destination that will become familiar over the course of the 2023-24 schedule. In the previous season, these two teams clashed 11 times, with the Mariners emerging victorious in 8 of those encounters.
To round out the month of October, the Mariners will face their frequent opponents, the Adirondack Thunder. On Friday, October 27th, the Thunder will visit the Mariners in Portland, and the following day, on Saturday, October 28th, the Mariners will return the favor by heading to New York to take on the Thunder at the Cool Insuring Arena.
Reflecting on their previous season, the Mariners had an outstanding run, finishing the 2022-23 regular season with a record of 42-27-2-1, their best ever performance. Fans are eager to witness that same magic this season and hope it translates into a deep playoff run for the club. The Mariners are ready to make waves in the ECHL once again, and the journey begins this Friday in Quebec.
