Pre-season games may not count toward the official standings, but that doesn’t always mean they don’t hold some significance. The Maine Mariners [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/mariners-bring-back-two-familiar-faces]and Worcester Railers [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/railers-add-defensemanhora-for-2025-26]will get together for a pair of exhibition games on Oct. 10 and 11 to kick off the annual VIP Rivalry Cup. The two teams will battle at the Harold Alfond Forum at the University of New England on Saturday, Oct. 11 for a 6 Pm puck drop. Located on the campus of the University of New England in Biddeford, the Harold Alfond Forum hosts the Nor’easters men and women’s NCAA DIII programs. Admission is free for the pre-season game, with first-come, first-served seating. The game marks a continuation of the Mariners relationship with UNE, which began with the launch of a strategic research partnership in January, through the university’s Center for Sport and Business Innovation (CSBI). Several Mariners front office and part-time employees are also UNE alumni. “We are pleased to continue to strengthen our partnership with the Maine Mariners, whose close collaboration with UNE allows our students to gain practical, real-world academic, business, and research experience in one of Maine’s most recognizable franchises,” UNE President James Herbert said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome their players to our campus for this pre-season game and unite the Mariners and Nor’easters in the spirt of Maine sportsmanship.” The Mariners and Railers have met in pre-season action every year since the Mariners joined the ECHL [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/]in 2018. The Mariners have previously hosted exhibition contests in Exeter, New Hampshire as well as Lewiston, Auburn, and Brunswick, Maine. “The University of New England has been an incredible partner since the franchise arrived,” stated Mariners CEO Adam Goldberg. “A preseason game at their beautiful facility is a great way for us to start our season. It has been a pleasure to get to know the faculty, staff and students and it will be great to see the Mariners logo skating on the Harold Alfond Forum.” The two teams will also play on Friday, Oct. 10, with the Railers hosting a 7 Pm faceoff at Worcester Ice Center. The exhibition series kicks off the fifth season of the VIP Rivalry Cup, presented by VIP Tires & Service. Last season, the Mariners captured the Cup by winning six of the 11 regular season meetings with the Railers. Established in 2021, each team has won the cup twice over its four years of existence.
