The Maine Nordiques kicked off the 2023-2024 season at The Colisee in Lewiston where they played host to their rival Northeast Generals
Original Maine Nordique and Lewiston Maine native, Cole Ouellette drops the puck on the Nordiques 5th anniversary season.
The Nordiques welcomed back fans with their first ever fan fest event in the Colisee parking lot before both games. Fan Festival featured entertainment from Mr. Drew and Pallo Entertainment to entertain and welcome back Nordique Nation.
Friday:
The Nordiques kicked off the season with both teams looking to find the upper hand, in a very humid environment inside the Colisee it took a minute for both teams to not only find their footing in game 1 of the season, but get used to the playing conditions as well. The Nords took an early too many men on the ice penalty which send them to the PK. The Nords were able to kill it off and then get rewarded with a power play of their own however it would go to 4 on 4 just as quickly where neither team could find the upper hand as Tommy Heaney and Toby Hopp stood tall in net.
The Puck drops on the 2023-2024 season
The second period had the Generals getting on the board early as they would put home a second chance in front to open the scoring for the season. The Nordiques would try and get it back as they were helped out from Tommy Heaney in net who was dialed in from the opening puck drop and already looked to be in mid season form. The Generals however wouldn’t let it phase them and would respond with another goal to make it 2-0 after two periods of play.
Former Northeast General Nick Ramm has some words with former Maine Nordique Brendan Kimball
The Nordiques got a talk from head coach Nick Skerlick that fired them up and came out swinging in the 3rd period. Returner Kellen Murphy who just recently announced his commitment to play at Army West Point found the back of the net off a great backhand feed into the slot from Defenseman David Helledy. Even though the Nordiques got on the board early in the 3rd period, that was all they would muster as the generals netminder stood tall and the Generals would hang on to win 2-1 despite the Nordiques outshooting the Gens 39-27.
Saturday:
The Nordiques looked for a win and sent Nordique Nation home happy after the 2-1 loss on the previous night that saw a new two year high for attendance of 932.
The Nordiques got some early energy as Kim Hilmersson would get the better of a Northeast General in a fight to open the game. Things would continue to get chippy however no one could use that momentum for a goal despite Jack Kurrle getting a penalty shot in the first period he was denied.
Kim Hilmersson drops the gloves with Generals Jake Demoura
The Nordiques wasted no time in the second period however as Jake Bernadet would put one top shelf on the Generals netminder to open the scoring. David Helledy and Kellen Murphy would pick up the assist, their second points in just as many games. The Nordiques would then hold the Generals at bay thanks to some huge stops from Tommy Heaney in net once again.
Heaney fights off a Generals shot through the fog
The Nordiques would waste no time again in the 3rd period as Shane Kozlina would break free past the Generals defense and find the back of the net. He was assisted by Mainer Cam Charron and Seth Murch who had his commitment to Air Force academy announced live during the previous intermission. The Generals were quick to respond however as a goal the other way made it 2-1.
Jake Bernadet Celebrates after his first goal of the season
The Generals had the momentum following the goal, but Generals head coach Brian Erickson would get ejected from the game following the tally which swung the momentum back to the Nords favor. The Nordiques would use it and the following shift Kellen Murphy would burry one for his second of the season, Cole Hipkin would record his first point and Cam Charron would record another assist.
Shane Kozlina puts home his first of the season
The Nordiques kept the score at 3-1 until the waning moments of the game where the Generals would pull their goalie on a power play to make it a 6-4 advantage. That wouldn’t slow the Nords down however as Charles Tardif would burry one into the empty net for his first of the season. Cam Charron had an assist on it once more for his 3rd point of the game. The Gens tried the empty net again but it was once again the Nordiques cashing in as Nick Romeo recorded his first of the season on the Nordiques all time assist leader- Nick Bernardo’s first assist of the season. The Generals however, wouldn’t go quietly as they notched 2 quick ones to make it 5-3. They pulled their goalie again and Kellen Murphy put home his 3rd goal of the season on David Helledy’s 3rd assist of the season already to seal the deal. 6-3 Nords victory.
Kellen Murphy and Seth Much Celebrate after sealing a Nordiques win
With the win, Nordiques head coach and General Manager Nick Skerlick becomes the youngest head coach in NAHL east division history to win a game.
Next up its off to the greatest show on ice in Blaine Minnesota for the Annual NAHL showcase starting on September 13th and running until the 16th. The Nordiques will then head to Attleboro Mass for a road matchup with the Generals before kicking off a five game homestead on October 6th against the Philadelphia Rebels for pink in the rink night.