LEWISTON — The Maine Nordiques ended 2002 with a bang.

Behind goalie Kael DePape’s 31-save performance, the Nordiques defeated the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks 5-1 at The Colisee in an NAHL East Division game Saturday night.

After giving up the game’s first goal, DePape refocused and shut out the Hat Tricks (2-26-5, 9 points) the rest of the way.

“Obviously, keeping everything the same, just staying focused on the game and not getting distracted by anything,” DePape said.

Laurent Trepanier tallied a goal and an assist, while Tony Achille and Kellen Murphy each notched two assists for the Nordiques (16-10-2, 34 points).

“All three of those guys have really good motors and they are super tenacious, puck skill,” Maine Nordiques coach Matt Pinchevsky said. “Trepanier is a little more deliberate with his drive and getting to the paint. I am glad those guys were able to contribute to their hockey team.”

The Nordiques controlled the play early in the first period by putting shots on Danbury goalie Matthew O’Donnell (31 saves) but couldn’t get any by him.

Instead, Danbury took the initial lead when Wyatt Stefan received a pass from Thomas Delfarno and Stefan’s wrist shot beat DePape 5:23 into the first period.

“Obviously not the start you want, but you just have to regroup and continue to play hard the right way,” DePape said

Again, Maine started off the second period strong and this time they tied the game. Achille put a shot on O’Donnell, who kicked the rebound to Oliver Genest, who scored 1:19 into the stanza.

The Nordiques nearly scored on an identical play two minutes later, but the rebound put-back sat on the goal line and didn’t completely cross the line.

Late in the second period, the Nordiques took the lead by driving toward the net. Forward Aidan Coupe picked up the loose puck at the offensive blue line. On a partial breakaway, he waited for O’Donnell to make the first move and slid the puck into the net.

The coaching staff is pleased with Coupe’s effort this weekend against Danbury, after also scoring in Friday’s 5-3 win.

“We used that word (outstanding) last night and the coaching staff, we felt compelled to call him this morning and changed it to an incredible game,” Pinchevsky said. “I think he used some of that confidence. I think his abilities and confidence are matching up. You are seeing what that looks like right now.”

Defensemen Sterling Wolters and Achille provided the assists on the goal at the 15:05 mark.

Two minutes later, forward Murphy sent the puck into the slot, where linemate Henrik Halberg chased it down and fired a quick shot past O’Donnell for a 3-1 lead.

“Lately, the second period has been hot here at The Colisee,” Pinchevsky said. “I hope the fans recognize that and it’s nice to see when we are on the long change, we are able to flip it around in that period and capitalize on that net.”

Trepanier set up the Nordiques’ fourth goal when he sent a cross-ice pass to Brendan Gibbons at the backdoor and Gibbons tapped the puck into the net.

The goal came at the 12:21 mark of the third period.

“I love him,” Trepanier said of Gibbons. “He always gets in a great spot to pass or to get a pass and shoot.”

Trepanier scored in the final seconds on the game’s only power play.

Trepanier said Gibbons and the rest of his teammates were pumping him up on the bench.

“My captain kept encouraging me and the other forwards said to keep going, keep going,” Trepanier said. “It went in.”

The Nordiques head to Maryland on Friday and Saturday to take on the Black Bears.

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