The Yarmouth Mariners are tied for a playoff spot as we enter the month of November.
They have seven wins in 17 games this season, five of the victories have been at at Mariners Centre.
Head Coach and General Manager Laurie Barron says they improved in the month of October
“We’ve been good at home, but I think we need to be physically and mentally tougher on the road. You go back to our last championship season (2023) we were 23-3 on the road, it’s harder to win away from home so you need to be ready,” said Barron.
He credits the younger players and goaltender Keegan Warren for playing big roles so far.
The Mariners continue a homestand this weekend with games against Grand Falls and Truro.
They ended a three-game slide with a win over Miramichi last Saturday
“We were good in the second and third period against a tough Miramichi team and that got us two big points. We had the Blue Jays and Halloween to compete with last weekend, so we want to see big crowds out this weekend.”
The Mariners missed the playoffs last year, and Barron says the standings are close right now.
“I haven’t seen the league this tight in the 20-plus years I’ve been involved. Any given night, anyone can win. The difference between winning and losing is razor thin. Winning is contagious and we want to see more 60 minute efforts.”
“It’s a dress rehearsal for playoffs, and playoffs are a war. I think we need to simplify our game and get a little more grit.”
