After 7 years without a team, the Fundy High School Mariners are returning to play their long-time rivals -- the St. Stephen Spartans.
Coach Matt Murray tells Tide News reasons the Mariners team ended were from a lack of interest, a lack of coaches, and because players wanted to play in a midgit league, instead of a high school league, where they couldn't play both.
Murray says one of the best things for this season is it is a trial season for the Mariners. The team is not yet registered with the NBIAA until the school can determine where the kids' interests are. Because of this trial, Murray adds, the boys team is able to play in both leagues and the kids are getting a lot of hockey.
Unfortunately, the Mariner's first home game is still up in the air. Murray says it is because the Blacks Harbour rink still doesn't have ice. He says the rink needed to order new parts for a piping issue and they have told Murray the ice will hopefully come in December. Until then, Murray says, "right now, it's kind of us going out there saying 'Hey, we have a team, we can play you, but we can't quite reciprocate just yet.'"
Coach Murray says the last game the Mariners played was in 2006 -- and he was one of the players.
Murray tells Tide News he's not the only one who is excited for the big game. He says he recently put up the roster for the season and the entire school is buzzing with excitement for the big game.
The game will take place at the Border Arena tomorrow night (Wednesday, November 7th) in St. Stephen. Gametime is 7:20.
