By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
After falling one game short of making the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals, the anticipation for the Maine Mariners for the upcoming 2026-27 season is high as ever. In 2026, the Mariners broke through as a franchise by winning their first playoff series in team history against the Adirondack Thunder in the North Division Semifinals. Despite their first playoff series win in team history, the Mariners’ roster looks different for next season, as key players like forwards Jacob Hudson, Shawn Element, Xander Lamppa, and goaltender Brad Arvanitis are all gone.
Even with a new-look roster, the Mariners are capable of having another good season. On Oct. 17, the Mariners begin their 2026-27 season at DCU Center against the Worcester Railers. However, October through mid-December is shaping up to be a daunting 2.5 months for the Mariners, having 17 road games in the first 23 games to begin the season.
Mariners’ First 23 Games of the Season
Oct. 17 @ Worcester Railers
Oct. 24 – 25 vs Worcester Railers
Oct. 30 – 31 @ Trois-Rivières Lions
Nov. 5 – 7 @ Greensboro Gargoyles
Nov. 10 vs Wheeling Nailers
Nov. 18, 20 – 21 @ Idaho Steelheads
Nov. 25 vs Worcester Railers
Nov. 27 – 29 @ Adirondack Thunder
Dec. 2 vs Trenton Ironhawks
Dec. 4 vs Worcester Railers
Dec. 5 @ Worcester Railers
Dec. 6 @ Adirondack Thunder
Dec. 11 – 13 @ Norfolk Admirals
Saying the first 23 games of the season for the Mariners are daunting would be an understatement. Besides the obvious 17 road games to begin the season, the schedule is deeper than some may think. The Mariners have three sets of back-to-backs, as well as having to play three consecutive games four different times. That right there is a challenge for any team.
Three of the eight teams the Mariners will play over the first 23 games of the season made the 2026 ECHL Playoffs, including the Nailers, who made the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals. The Mariners’ longest road trip of the season is in Idaho, and playing three road games in four nights against the Steelheads, who made the 2026 playoffs, offers a challenge. Even though the Mariners won their seven-game series against the Thunder in the 2026 playoffs, the Thunder won 11 of the 15 regular-season meetings. All four games the Mariners will play against the Thunder over the first 23 games of the season are on the road, including three consecutive road games after Thanksgiving.
A fear of road struggles from last season carrying over to this season is understandable for the Mariners. Against the Nailers in the North Division Semifinals, the Mariners lost all four road games. If the Mariners get off to a slow start by having to play 17 road games over the first 23 games, it can put the team in a deep hole. The Mariners could fall behind in the standings and would have to play catch-up to get back in the standings.
However, despite the 17 road games, it offers an opportunity for the Mariners to show adversity. Despite the Game 6 loss to the Thunder, the Mariners did win two pivotal road playoff games in the series to help them win the series in the end. The Mariners need to be around .500, or they could be in danger of falling in the standings in mid-December.
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