LEWISTON – The Lewiston Jr. Maineiac White team emerged as the champions in the Squirt Division of the 2008 Lions Tournament.

White opened with a 1-1 tie against Orange. Conrad Grimmer opened the scoring for Orange with an assist to Kevin Bannister. Steve Hammerton netted the equalizer unassisted. Nick Hawk and Trent Spaulding were outstanding in goal.

In game two against Black, White skated to a 5-0 win. Eli McBride netted two goals, including his first of the season. Other scorers were Andrew Loisel, Corinne Laberge and Zach Guimond. Assists on the day went to Owen McCarthy, Bobby Chabot, Liam Benson, Chris Miller, Hammerton and Loisel. It was Hawk’s 10th shutout of the season.

The third contest was another close one vs. Orange, with White coming out on top 1-0. McCarthy scored the lone goal on an unassisted breakaway. Hawk and Spaulding were again outstanding in net.

Game four saw an offensive explosion from both teams. White came away with a 9-4 victory over Black. Liam Benson led the way for White with four goals. McCarthy also had a hat trick for White, with Loisel netting the other two goals. White assists went to Laberge, Jody Cabral, Loisel, Alex Morgan, Guimond, McBride and Jacob Wall.

Goal-getters for Black were Patric Racine with a hat trick of his own and Ryan Gosselin. Black assists went to Ricky Lacombe (two), Spencer Reynolds and Nicholas Aripez.

In the championship game on Friday, White again faced off against Orange. The two teams produced another nail-biter, with the White team taking the top spot with a 4-3 victory.

Benson and Laberge led the way for White. Benson contributed two goals and two assists, with Laberge chipping in the other two goals. Assists for White went to Loisel, Chabot and Hammerton.

Orange got goals from Cameron Beach (his first of the year), Eddie Turgeon and Grimmer. Orange assists went to Grimmer (two), Colby Bilodeau, Tori Sanford and Evan Bowers.

White’s march through the Lions Tournament leaves itsoverall record at an impressive 23-5-3.

Both the White and Orange teams have qualified for the Tier III State Tournament to be held at Ingersoll Arena in Auburn from March 7-9. White will face off against Auburn, Central Maine and Casco Bay. Orange will take on Gardiner, Presque Isle and Western Maine.