MARINERS, RAILERS RENEW VIP RIVALRY CUP WITH PRESEASON SERIES

PORTLAND, ME – September 8, 2022 – The Maine Mariners and Worcester Railers have announced a pair of preseason games to be played on October 15th and 16th, the weekend before the regular season begins. The Mariners will host the game on Sunday, October 16th at the Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn, Maine at 5 PM. The preseason series kicks off the second season of the “VIP Rivalry Cup,” presented by VIP Tires & Service.

Tickets for the game on Sunday, October 16th will be $10 and will be available for purchase online through the Norway Savings Bank Arena website or at the door. Doors will open at 4 PM and concessions will be available. The Mariners will also have a selection of merchandise for sale. The day prior, on Saturday, October 15th, the two teams will play at the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center at 7 PM. A radio broadcast of both games will be available at MarinersOfMaine.com/listen or the Mixlr App.

Last season, the Mariners and Railers competed for the “VIP Rivalry Cup” for the first time, raising the stakes of the rivalry that will enter its fourth season this year. The teams faced off 14 times in 2021-22, with the Railers winning eight to claim the Cup. The Mariners got the last laugh, however, overcoming the Railers for the final playoff spot in the North Division. In the all-time head-to-head series, the Mariners hold a 23-16 edge.

During the 2022-23 regular season, the Mariners and Railers will face off 11 times – six times in Portland and five in Worcester. Ten of the 11 meetings do not happen until after the New Year, with the first meeting not until December 28th, at the Cross Insurance Arena. Both teams have rookie head coaches this season, with Terrence Wallin becoming the Mariners new bench boss and Jordan Lavallee-Smotherman, who was Worcester’s captain last season, taking over the Railers reigns.