Maine Hockey Journal

Fighting Spirit at home in weekend sweep

(PHOTO: Andrew Gaumont)

(PHOTO: Andrew Gaumont)

LEWISTON – Officially, the L/A Fighting Spirit can call the Androscoggin Bank Colisee home.

After months of preparing the move from Laconia, N.H. to Lewiston – playing two regular season games as the New Hampshire Fighting Spirit, three more in the 2015 NA3EHL Championship Series and one exhibition game – the Fighting Spirit opened up their regular season home schedule this weekend.

On Saturday night, 1,087 fans saw the Fighting Spirit defeat the Northeast Generals as the Spirit scored three times in the third period in the 4-1 victory. Simon Corriveau had the game-winning goal as he scored nearly eight minutes remaining in the contest. Dylan Vrees had two assists in the contest.

After a sluggish start on Sunday against the New England Stars, the Spirit came away with the 3-2 victory as they improve to 4-0 on the season. Nick Hudson had two goals on the weekend as he scored in both contests.

Each goalie started with the reining NA3EHL goalie of the year Claes Endre picking up the victory on Saturday night. Zach Barry earned the victory on Sunday.

For owner and coach Rod Simmons, it’s nice to play some home games finally as they opened the season on the road.

“It’s been very good,” Simmons said Sunday after the game against the Stars. “1,100 fans last night and 596 tonight – that’s what I get for having a game when the (New England) Patriots are playing. Apparently they are an important team here.”

Joking aside, Simmons said the players are still getting used to the sights and sounds of playing in front of a crowd.

“We enjoy being here and I think the guys are rising the occasion,” Simmons said. “I thought that was important to get that out of the way, so our guys know how to play in front of a crowd. Last night the first period you could tell we were nervous there.”

Simmons tried to tell his players to focus on happens in between the glass. The players understand that message.

“I think it was awesome. You can’t ask for more out of the fans and community that supports us,” said Walker Hamilton, who had the game-winning goal on Sunday. “You know part of playing in the glass is, it’s our game, and we need to stay in the glass. The fans are great before and after a game, but in the game it’s all us.”

They continue their home stand with two games this upcoming weekend against the Cape Cod Islanders on Friday and the Generals return to the Colisee on Saturday. Both games are slated for a 7 p.m. puck drop.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login