HALLOWELL – After competing in a week-long, end-of-year playoff tournament, the Lewiston Demons hockey team fell just short, dropping a 7-4 decision in their Northern Middle School Hockey League championship game to Messalonskee Middle School.

The Demons won all three playoff games and were seeded No. 1 in their division entering the semifinals. After a decisive 6-1 semifinal victory over Fairfield Middle School, the Demons were destined to meet their season-long foe, Messalonskee, for the championship.

Lewiston’s run started with a 6-0 victory over Skowhegan. Kevin Lavertu and Devin Bilodeau sparked the offense with two goals each. Rudy Pandora was the playmaker, assisting on three of these goals. Chris Rancourt and Jacob Soucy also scored for the Demons.

Next on the path to the finals was a hard-fought, 5-3 win over Winslow. Two goals by Devin Bilodeau, and one each by Tommy Hird, Chris Rancourt and Alex Gregoire put Winslow on ice. Assists went to Rancourt, Soucy and Pandora.

The last stop before the semis was a match against Gardiner. In this 4-2 victory, the Demons’ point men got into the act, with goals from Brett Vallee and Coleman Morency and an assist by Austin Obie.

Bilodeau scored two more, with assists going to Lavertu and David Cusson. Vallee also assisted on Morency’s goal for the division-clincher.

Jake Bergeron’s hat trick led to a 6-1 rout of Fairfield in the semifina;. Kile Conn got into the act as well, scoring on a nice wrap-around assisted by Nick Gilbert. Rancourt scored another one, as did Pandora, with assists going to Cam Boucher and Morency. Bilodeau and Cusson each logged two assists.

Splitting the duties in the cage all week were goaltenders Brady Ouellette and Noah Hutchinson. They allowed only nine goals in five games, second only to Messalonskee. Thanks to their efforts and the efforts of all the Demons, Lewiston proudly lifted the Runner-up Trophy in this year’s Northern Middle School Hockey League championship.

The Lewiston Demons were represented by Nick Gilbert, Alex Gregoire, Devin Bilodeau, Jacob Soucy, David Cusson, Cam Boucher, Kile Conn, Kevin Lavertu, Chris Rancourt, Marty Moreau, Coleman Morency, Jake Bergeron, Tommy Hird, Austin Obie, Rudy Pandora, Brett Vallee, Noah Hutchinson and Brady Ouellette. The head coach was Greg Gilbert, assisted by Dave Gregoire, Dale Boucher, James Roy and Erik Bilodeau.

The Demons would like to thank their major sponsor this year; Lewiston PAL, for their generous contribution and continued support. They also wish to thank Chick-a-Dee of Lewiston.