WORCESTER, MA – October 17, 2026 – The Maine Mariners, proud affiliates of the NHL's Boston Bruins and AHL's Providence Bruins, dropped the opening game of the 2026-27 season, 4-2 to the Worcester Railers on Saturday night at DCU Center. Maine got goals from defensemen Jack Bar and Owen Gallatin in the third period in an attempt to make a comeback.
The game got off to an inauspicious start when Worcester struck on the opening shift of the game. Railers former Matt Demelis skated into the slot and flipped one past Luke Cavallin's glove just 15 seconds in for the 1-0 lead. Demelis' tally was the only one of the first 20 minutes.
The Railers struck with back-to-back goals within the first 2:15 of the middle frame. Sam Stange ripped a wrister from the right circle past Cavallin at 1:02 before Jordan Kaplan got loose on a breakaway to make it a 3-0 game shortly after. Maine outshot the Railers 10-6 in the second period and had a late power play goal disallowed, keeping them off the board through 40 minutes.
Defenseman Jack Bar collected Maine's first goal of the season at 7:54 of the third, finishing a saucer pass from Max Andreev on a 2-on-1. The Railers responded just 29 seconds later when Declan McDonnell broke free out of the penalty box and wrister one past Cavallin to restore Worcester's three-goal lead. Owen Gallatin netted a power play goal at 16:11 to bring Maine back within two, but the Mariners couldn't get any closer.
Parker Gahagen stopped 26 of 28 to earn the win in the Worcester net. Cavallin made 15 stops in the loss.
The Mariners host Worcester in their Home Opener next Saturday, October 24th with a 1 PM puck drop at the Cross Insurance Arena, before the teams meet again on Sunday, October 25th at 3 PM.. Single game tickets are available now at MaineMariners.com or at the Hammond Lumber Company Box Office inside the Cross Insurance Arena. Ticket packages including the 207 Club (full season), half-season and 12-game plans, 12-ticket flex plans, and group discounts are also available by calling 833-GO-MAINE or filling out an inquiry form at MaineMariners.com.
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