BIDDEFORD ”“ There is just one problem with winning a state championship, but it’s one that the Thornton Academy pucksters will gladly shoulder.
Trying to keep the feeling going.
Two days after putting the wraps on the schools first ever hockey title with a dramatic 4-3 double overtime win over Lewiston, the Golden Trojans did the only thing left to do.
They turned in their equipment.
A mundane chore to be sure, but it was the chance to gather one more time while the glow was still there for the basking.
So as a group, the Golden Trojans popped into the club’s room at Biddeford Ice Arena, each adding to the pile of jerseys, socks, pants and vibes, however bittersweet.
Senior Ryan Locke, a key member of the Trojan defense, admitted he was feeling the buzz as strong as ever.
“Absolutely,” said Locke. “Especially senior year. It’s going out with a bang. We’ve all been playing together for so many years. So it’s sad seeing everyone just split apart. But I’m definitely going to come back next year and support my old teammates.”
The process of galvanizing has begun.
It’s that way when championships are won.
Famed coach Fred Shero knew it would be that way back in 1974, when he wrote the following words on a chalkboard in the Philadelphia Flyers dressing room, prior to Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals.
“Win today, and we walk together forever”.
They did, and they do.
Just as the likes of Locke and Jay Finch and Brandon Veilleux and Brett Levasseur and Robbie Downing will, or in fact, already are.
“This year’s going to go down in history,” said Thornton coach Shawn Rousseau, who has won two state championships as a player at Lewiston, and another as a coach at his previous stop, Cape Elizabeth. “Whether you’re players or coaches or managers, we all were a part of it, and we will walk together forever.”
The stroll out of the Colisee might have been much shorter and more somber if C.J. Maksut hadn’t followed his instincts and cut to the slot while planting his stick blade on the ice.
The put him in perfect position to reroute Sam Canales’ point shot past Lewiston goalie Cam Poussard, a goal that Maksut admitted he never saw hit the net.
“I saw him (Canales) fire toward the net,” said Maksut, “and I got my stick on it. Initially, I didn’t even know the puck went in. I froze for just a second looking for it.”
What Maksut was unable to see, Locke, who was standing behind him, could.
In all it’s glory.
“I had the perfect view,” Locke said. “My mind was just screaming with joy. I threw my arms up. I threw everything off. My gloves, my stick. And I jumped on C.J. I’ll remember that the rest of my life.”
What Maksut will treasure was the long but frenzied bus ride home from Lewiston.
“That was a lot of fun,” said Maksut. “It was crazy. We were all sticking our heads out the window, screaming.”
A police escort accompanied the Trojans from Scarborough back to Saco, where as a group, they got to ring the victory bell in front of Linnell Gym.
“It’s one of those moments I’m always going to remember. Being there with all the guys.”
It’s a tradition enjoyed by the school’s other sports teams, but not for the hockey team.
They play their home games at BIA, which has now birthed four of the past five Class A state champions (Biddeford won the other three), but has no bell.
It does, however, have rafter room for a championship banner, the rink’s first drape colored Maroon and Gold.
“We’ve been chasing that,” said Maksut. “Hopefully we can start our own tradition.”
They already have.
— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com or follow on Twitter @DanHickling.
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