Maine Gladiators extinguish Atlanta fires

Izik Laliberte and Deegan Nadeau lead the Maine Gladiators to a 6-1 victory over the Atlanta Fire in USA Hockey's Tier II 16U 2A National Tournament on Thursday in Farmers Branch, Texas.

Laliberte, a sophomore at Lewiston High School, led the Auburn-based youth hockey team with two goals and three assists. Nadeau, who plays for North Yarmouth Academy, scored two goals.

Gladiators coach Chris Pomerleau said Laliberte and Nadeau are the catalysts for the team's offense.

“He's similar to Izik. He's a goalscorer,” Pomerleau said of Nadeau. “He has good stick work and he skates well. Those two are our goal scorers, especially on the power play when we need a goal.”

Goaltender Gabe Pomerleau made 33 saves in the Gladiators' win.

“He played well yesterday. He played well in both games,” Chris Pomerleau said of his son Gabe. “I would say the consistency with him in net has been really great. As a team, it gives you the courage to play hard and maybe have a turnover here, a turnover there, but there We know we have a good goalie.”

Laliberte scored the first goal early in the first period off an assist from Brunswick's Evan Zavitz.

Dylan Richards extended the Gladiators' lead to 2-0, and Nadeau made it three points with his first goal 8:20 into the first period.

Ronan Newell assisted on Richard's goal and Laliberte contributed to Nadeau's goal.

Coach Chris Pomerleau gave his Wisconsin Elite Hockey Southwest team a reset against the Gladiators during a team meeting after Wednesday's 4-1 loss, Maine's first after a 24-0 regular season. He said he gave him an opportunity.

“We had a good team meeting and talked,” Chris Pomerleau said. “We were a little bit jet-lagged, things like that. The team came out today and we had a really good first period. We came out and moved the puck well. , I gave a really good effort today.”

Atlanta (1-1) took the lead in the second period with a goal from Maddox Wolfin.

“After that second goal, late in the game, we were behind,” Chris Pomerleau said.

Laliberte regained a three-point lead with two points late.

Nadeau scored his second goal in the opening minutes of the third period, pushing Maine's advantage to 5-1. Laliberte assisted on the goal along with Gabe Pomerleau.

Laliberte and Connor Morissette set up Hayden Brown in the Gladiators' goal.

“Our third period started out the same way as the first and our efforts were there,” Chris Pomerleau said.

Maine concludes pool play Friday against the Montana Wolves at 2 p.m.

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