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Maine Nordiques Academy 18U team gathers for a photo prior to practice at the Colisee in Lewiston on April 20, 2021.
Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
LEWISTON – Maine Nordiques Academy 18U team coach Nick Skerlick just had a gut feeling.
After losing to Mount Saint Charles Academy 3-1 in the New England District Championship 18U championship final on April 11, some players thought the season was over. Skerlick, though, told them they still have more games to play.
Skerlick’s gut feeling came to fruition April 16 when the 18U team received an at-large bid into the USA Hockey Tier I 18U National Tournament, which are taking place in Maryland Heights, Missouri, from April 28-May 3.
Maine Moose take a team picture after defeating the Palmyra Black Knights 4-3 Sunday in York, Pennsylvania.
USPHL photo
Over the weekend, the Maine Moose 18U team that plays out of Camden National Bank Ice Vault in Hallowell captured the United States Premier Hockey League 18U American Division title. The Moose defeated the Palmyra Black Knights 4-3 Sunday in York, Pennsylvania in the American final.
Two Lewiston-Auburn area connections were on the team, in Jacob Lewis of Auburn and Nate Marcotte of Sabattus. Lewis had an assist on Cameron Rizzo’s (West Gardiner) game-winning goal in the third period.
“We had a young team and coach (Matt) Lavallee does a good job with that group,” Maine Moose owner and Twin City Thunder co-owner Ben Gray said. “It’s a tough league and I was really impressed with how they went down and played really good hockey and came away with the championship.”