AUBURN – Auburn Youth Hockey celebrated its annual night Saturday with the Lewiston Maineiacs.

The Maineiacs won in overtime, with members of the Auburn Youth Hockey board of directors able to sit and enjoy the game after a busy day. Loads of preparation went into a successful night.

From kids and parents enjoying social time at the tailgate party all the way to the Maineiacs’ dramatic win, kids and parents pitched in every step of the way. AYH hosted a family tailgate party, participated in opening ceremonies, ran Friday night’s Chuck-A-Puck fundraiser, held a Mite Division (6-8 year-olds) shootout during the first intermission, helped clean the ice in the middle of each period and collected the “chucked” pucks.

Particular recognition goes to the players who participated in the opening ceremonies. Those kids stood in the hall waiting for their cue for over 30 minutes in full (hot) gear, patiently and orderly. The lucky participants were chosen by lottery of registered players. They were Gavin Toussaint, Jacob Pooler, Zachary Riddell, Jacob Lewis, Kobe Pillsbury, Saige Arsenault, Tyler LaCasio, Gabriel Sappington, Haley Frolich, Cole Oullette, Brittney Cloutier, Riley Letourneau, Samantha Roy, Savannah Shaw, Mitchell Spurr, Cameron Berube, Zachary Boyd, Matthew Futch, Brendan Donovan, Colin Benson, Austin Thompson, Adam Lebrun, Dillon Pratt and Sedrick Simons.

Mite Division shootout participants were goalies Amanda Sappington and Jacob Dubay and shooters Jacob Barrell, Isabelle Berube, Cassady Bussiere, Tyler Cornish, Chance Decker, Gage Doucette, Dasha Fons, Ben Lane-Robichaud, Jacob Lewis, DJ MacKenzie, Kobe Pillsbury, Zachary Riddell, Kegan Rodrigue, Parker Seeley, Cameron Sirois, Shawn Stowe, Evan Saltis and Sara Younk.

This was the first event that registered Auburn Youth Hockey players were able to enjoy the new complimentary Player Passes, entitling them to a ticket to any MAINEiacs home game. The passes are part of ongoing efforts between the Maineiacs Organization and Auburn Youth Hockey to support a love of hockey and increase the skills of local youth. This partnership includes skills clinics for AYH players, coaching clinics with Maineiacs staff, and discounts to Maineiacs sponsored clinics. Maineiacs players will also make guest appearances such as personally calling AYH players to remind them about registration earlier this month. AYH was able to fund these complimentary passes due to extensive planning and fundraising efforts.

Auburn Youth Hockey would like to extend its appreciation to the MAINEiacs, head coach Don MacAdam, Garrett Mason and the players for inviting the group to be part of a great event and for the team’s continued support of youth hockey.