AUBURN — Maine’s 44th annual Lions Hockey Tournament provided an exciting weeklong competition for the kids — and also brought back fond memories for some adults.
The arena, which houses two rinks, was packed full of excited parents — as well as some less-excited siblings — who came to support their team.
Both rinks were brimming with enthusiastic families, some of them very verbally passionate about the game, occasionally yelling out instructions such as, “Shoot! Shoooooot! Shoot the puck!”
The Lion’s Tournament is described as “a USA Hockey-sanctioned tournament, providing at least three games per team and awards for first and second place teams.”
The Maine Gladiator Mites — Green vs. Orange, and Gray vs. White — were playing in Rink 1 at 3:20 p.m. The Gladiator teams are all co-ed and the players are 7 or 8 years old.
Michelle Crowley, who was there supporting her nephew, was excited to see him play, but she admitted that she didn’t know a much about what was going on.
“He’s on the orange team — number seven. I do know that!” Crowley said, laughing.
She recalled what the event was like when she was a kid.
“I used to cheer for one of the teams,” she said, recalling her cheerleading days. “And it was over in Lewiston.”
The tournament is now hosted at the Norway Savings Arena in Auburn.
Kelie Routhier was thrilled that her son — also number seven — was playing in the tournament.
Routhier explained that her husband, Mike Routhier, is the head coach of the gray team — the same team on which her son was playing.
“He (Mike) actually played in the tournament when he was little,” she said. “It’s all come full circle now.”
Routhier said in the Mite level, they switch players every two minutes to ensure every player gets equal playing time so they can grow and learn the game, she said.
Routhier got a little emotional while watching the game.
“These games make me want to cry,” she said. “The kids just put their heart and souls into it.”
2016 Tournament Schedule, Feb 15-17
• Monday: Games across all levels from 8:20 a.m. to 5:20 p.m.
• Tuesday: Playoff games and skills and drills across all levels from 11:30 a.m. to 5:40 p.m.
• Wednesday: Championship games for all levels from 8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.; awards ceremony; and free skate, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
For a full list of game times, go to the Lion’s Tournament 2016 Schedule.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
