HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College women's ice hockey team officially finalized their schedule for the 2026-2027 season on Tuesday for the second year of the Little East Conference (LEC) in women's ice hockey. 

The Pilgrims begin preseason play on October 23rd as they travel to Worcester State and then come back home on October 24th to host Salve Regina. 

The regular season opening puck drop will take place at the Lee Clement Arena on Friday, October 30th at 4:00 PM against Salem State.  NEC will open their conference play at the University of Southern Maine on Friday, November 6th at 4:00 PM. 

The 'Grims will play seven more LEC games before the end of the 2026 calendar year, including a matchup against Norwich, who made the NCAA final four last season, on Saturday November 14th.  They also will play a home-and-home series against Plymouth State on the 4th and 5th of December. The home game on the 5th is circled as the team's annual Moore & Capolino Memorial Game. 

After the calendar flips into the new year, NEC plays 13 of their final 16 games against conference opponents. Nine of these remaining games will take place on home ice, including a six game homestand from Tuesday, January 12th versus Rivier to Saturday, January 23rd against Western Connecticut State.   

The Pilgrims' final home game will take place on Saturday, February 13th against conference foe Keene State.  NEC will finish the season one week later at Plymouth State, before heading into the LEC tournament with the first-round game on Wednesday, February 24th, the semifinals taking place on Saturday, February 27th, and the championship being held on Saturday, March 6th.   

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.