Maine Nordiques forward Charles Tardif battles for position and a loose puck with Devin Nabozny of the New Hampshire Mountain Kings (foreground) during the second period Wednesday night at The Colisee in Lewiston. Ron Morin photo
The Maine Nordiques offense struck thrice in a three-minute span to defeat the New Hampshire Mountain Kings 3-2 in a North American Hockey League East Division game at The Colisee in Lewiston on Wednesday.
Maine Nordiques coach Nick Skerlick said it took a while for the team to get going.
“I thought we played really well, but we didn’t have the knack to bear down early,” Skerlick said.
Down 1-0 in the second period, Nordiques (30-10-5, 65 points) forward Nick Ramm tied the game 7:40 into the stanza, with Evan Orloff notching the assist.
“Someone who’s labeled as a guy who plays hard and sticks up for his teammates, 20 goals in three seasons at this level is pretty impressive,” Skerlick said. “I am very happy with his efforts the last few games, for sure.”
Just 33 seconds later, defenseman Aiden Dixon gave Maine a 2-1 lead by beating New Hampshire (16-25-5, 37 points) goalie Sebastian Bodnar (34 saves), with Jake Bernadet notching the assist.
Bernadet scored the eventual game-winner 10:53 into the middle frame with his 16th goal of the season.
Bernadet stopped an 11-game scoreless streak with that goal.
“I have been giving him a friendly hard time about his goals,” Skerlick said. “He always likes to tell me how good he is, and I love to give it back: ‘Another game without a goal.’ He got a shorthanded goal and (assistant) coach (Ryan) Shelley told me on the bench that ranks us third for shorthanded goals.”
The Nordiques have seven shorthanded goals this season.
New Hampshire took a 1-0 lead late in the first period when former Maine Nordiques Academy 18U defenseman Owen Benoit potted his first goal of the season. Former Lewiston High School and North Yarmouth Academy forward Tanner Anctil had an assist.
Skerlick was Benoit’s coach with the Nordiques Academy.
“It’s always fun to coach guys who you used to coach and develop before this level,” Skerlick said. “Now, seeing them on other rosters, it’s a testament to the Maine Nordiques Academy.”
Damon Bossie, another former Lewiston High School standout and former Twin City Thunder defenseman, scored his sixth goal of the year midway through the third period.
“Damon Bossie ripped a bomb from the point that got deflected,” Skerlick said.
Thomas Heaney stopped 24 shots in the win.
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