LEWISTON – It was such a special evening that it took two cars.

Mike and Lisa Begin are season ticket holders who rarely miss a hockey game. Their sons Ryan and Matthew typically join them on nonschool nights, but Thursday, the family of four were at the Colisee in force.

It was no ordinary weekday game. Being the season opener is an occasion on its own, but with the Lewiston Maineiacs raising their championship banners, it was must-see viewing for all ages. A late bedtime was just a minor concern.

“We have season tickets, but they don’t usually come during the week,” said Mike Begin, with 3-year-old Matthew on his shoulders and 6-year-old Ryan nearby.

Lisa was taking the boys to their Minot home early, but Mike was returning to the action after seeing his family off. He had another car on hand for his ride home.

“Because it was the season opener, I said ‘You’ll be back for the second period’, but we wanted to see all the stuff that they did,” said Lisa.

Hockey made its return to Lewiston and so did the thrill of victory that came from last year’s run to the Memorial Cup. It was a long summer as far as Amanda Anderson was concerned. The Auburn native and her friend Courtney Butler are die-hard Maineiac fans. Even though the Maineiacs playoff run went well into May last year, it has been a long wait for local hockey fans.

“It’s been a long summer,” said Anderson. “It’s about 90 days. We’re glad to be back.”

The crowd wasn’t as large or boisterous as you might expect on a banner-raising night but that didn’t sway the die-hards. In fact, they relished the fact that it was the most loyal of fans who were there Thursday.

“I haven’t missed a game since the first season,” said Butler, “so to be here for the banners, it was pretty amazing.”

Though opening night marked the beginning of the road to Kitchener, where the Memorial Cup tourney will be held next year, the Maineiacs had to complete last year’s thrilling journey. After an introduction of team personnel and players, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, Gilles Courteau, the league commissioner, and Matt McKnight, the Maineiacs president took to the ice to raise what Maineiacs fans had waited all summer to see. First, came the banner for the Jean Rogeau Trophy, celebrating the regular season championship. Then came the banner for being the President Cup Champions.

“We were proud, extremely proud” said Lisa Begin, who recalls those nights with her television hooked up to the Internet so her family could monitor playoff road games in Canada. “We rooted for them last year. It’s almost like we journeyed together to get the Cup.”

Some of the bigger names from last year’s excitement were missing. Kevin Marshall, Jonathan Bernier and David Perron were among the absent, all attending NHL training camps. There were just 11 players from last year on the Lewiston roster Thursday night.

“It was nice; it was too bad Marshall, Perron and Bernier weren’t here,” said Mike Begin.

“They were all the guys that earned it,” added Lisa Begin.

“I think it’s a good boost to the new players,” said Mike.

Last year was a culmination of numerous building seasons. The previous years of work paid off as Lewiston contended for a title, and Thursday was the final step in recognizing that achievement before turning the page on a new chapter.

“That’s what they accomplished,” said Anderson. “They did something good, and it only took them a few seasons here to do it.”

For the players, it was equally special. As they stood on the ice and watched the banners raised to the rafters and heard the standing ovations, last year’s thrills came rushing back.

“Lewiston has a million memories and to start off at home like this is just great,” said goaltender Peter Delmas.

The Maineiacs even managed to put a little icing on the celebration. Delmas was superb in Bernier’s absence and made 23 saves to backstop Lewiston to a 4-1 win.

“It’s great,” said Delmas. “It’s a really emotional win. It’s fantastic. Last year was phenomenal, and it was really nice to have that done today.”