GRCC Thrashers are AHL champs

RUMFORD -- The GRCC floor hockey season recently held the AHL playoffs as teams fought really hard for one of two spots in the championship game.

Team Avalanche held strong throughout the season only, losing two regular season games. This very talented and well coached team that had to battle through two playoff games to secure one of two spots in the championship game.

Joining them in the championship game was the top seeded Thrashers, which won their first playoff game, as they had a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

Team Avalanche wasted no time putting the puck in the net as they took an early lead in the first period. The Thrashers took over the lead late in the first period and managed to stay in front of team Avalanche although the score remained very close throughout the entire game and could have gone either way in a hurry.

Scoring goals in the championship game were Alex Gorham, Jacob Blanchard, Nolan Downs, Noah Breton, Cody Hemingway and coming up with her first goal, was Keyleigh Dupuis, whose score couldn’t have happened at a better time.

The Thrashers' defense made it tough for team Avalanche to hit the back of the net. Playing defense for the Thrashers was the entire team as coach Rick Blanchard made many changes throughout the game.

However coming up with some very strong stands on defense were Lucas Drapeau, Jarrod Downs and Jacob Lord.

The Thrashers' starting goalie and first-year player, TJ Payne, made many great stops, leaving no question that he was where he belonged.

Coming out on top in this very hard fought game for both the Thrashers and team Avalanche was this year's AHL champions, Thrashers, with a score of 8-5.

Coaches Blanchard, Craig Hemingway and Roger Payne congratulate the Thrashers for their first place finish this year. They thank team Avalanche for giving them the hardest fought game of the season. Great job to both teams!

Submitted by Thrasher coach Roger Payne.

GRCC Thrashers Photo:

From left in the front row are Cody Hemingway, Lucas Drapeau, TJ Payne, Nolan Downs. In the middle row are Alex Gorham, Jacob Lord, Keyleigh Dupuis, Jarrod Downs, Noah Breton and Jacob Blanchard. In the back are coaches Rick Blanchard, Craig Hemingway and Roger Payne.