Men's Hockey: Edward Little versus Scarborough in the semifinals against Brown

Norm Gagne, who brought Scarborough High to the Class A Championship game in 2015 and 2016, is now coaching Edward Little. The two schools will meet Tuesday evening in a Class A semi-final in Lewiston. Shawn Patrick Ouellette / Portland Press Herald Buy this photo In a sense, Edward Littleboyshockey's coach Norm Gagne has prepared for Tuesday's class A semifinal match with Scarborough. He didn't look into a crystal ball and predict that the Red Eddies would face the Red Storm, but he did help advance the career of Scarborough coach Jake Brown. Now the teacher and the apprentice are at a game of a state championship game with each other's team on the way. Jake Brown took over as a men's hockey coach at Scarborough High in 2017 when Norm Gagne accepted a job with Edward Little Gregory Rec / Staff Photographer Buy this photo "It's going to be mixed emotions there," said Gagné. "I am happy to see him in this situation, to be in the semi-finals, and I am proud of him for what he has done with his team. On the other hand, it's going to be a little bit different for me, seeing one of my former players and former assistant, and now I have to go against him. " To make the match even more appropriate, the match will take place at Androscoggin Bank Colisee, where Gagné and Brown once donned Blue Lewiston together as coach and player, respectively, from 2005-06 to 2007-08. Additionally, the winner will potentially face the Blue Devils (another semi-finalist) for the state title on Saturday. "I think it's always a different feeling, to train at the Coliseum. Just so many memories come to my mind as a player and coach, "said Brown. "It should be a fun game, and I'm just proud of my players and my coaching staff because it took a lot of work to get here." When Brown resumed winning in Scarborough two seasons ago, the Red Storm was only two years from its last appearance in the state and three seasons from its first title. Class A state. But Brown had to build from scratch in his first season as head coach. "I think these seniors helped create their own culture for the program," said Brown. "These guys have been through so much together in the past two years. Going from 3 to 15 where we are now takes leadership and guys who are committed and trust each other. "Our success is due to the fact that these guys trusted a process when they arrived. We all knew it would take some time, but it is certainly worth all the work we have put into it." Edward Little High School boys' hockey head coach Norm Gagne performs exercises on the first day of training at Auburn in November 2017. Daryn Slover / Sun Journal file photo Buy this photo Confidence also helped Gagné marry Brown when he was an assistant to Scarborough. "There were times when he coached me that I felt frustrated with some of the things he wanted to do, but I let him do it because I thought he had to learn from him. myself, and I gave him a lot of leeway. And I think it made him a very good coach, ”said Gagné. "I saw him in him from the start, and that's why I asked him to come with me. I liked his style and the way he treated players, and I think the players reacted well to his style. I'm a little more precise and sometimes a bit gruff, and that's why I like that my younger coaches deal with a lot of players. " Another difference between the two coaches is manifested in the style of their respective teams this season. Gagné likes to stay a little more conservative, while Brown said he prefers "faster and faster play." "We were definitely a good partnership when he was in Scarborough, and now coachseparate teams, I think you can say that the identity of the two teams is a little bit different, "added Brown. Gagné still sees part of his system in Brown's Scarborough team, but he said Brown had changed it, "and he's really good at it." Gagné, himself, had to make an adjustment when his team was mired in a 1-10 season start, including a heartbreaking loss for Scarborough. He modified training plans, introduced new exercises and used film criticism to get his players to understand their mistakes and how to fix them. And as the Scarborough team from Brown 3-15 had to trust their system and process, just like the Red Eddies when they were on a streak of 10 consecutive defeats. The two processes paved the way for Tuesday's duel. "I think both teams are entering the game playing well and both teams have finished the regular season well," said Brown. "Once the puck is dropped, past success goes through the window and it comes down to any team that can play a full game for 45 minutes." Gagné singled out the front row for Scarborough seniors, Dawson Gendreau, Nolan Matthews and Cam Budway, as one of the keys to the success of the Red Storm. And senior defender Ethan Jasa, like Gendreau, is a semi-finalist for the Travis Roy award. These four are the top four point scorers for the Red Storm, each with assists. Brown, meanwhile, said play by Red Eddies first-year goalkeeper Gage Ducharme had been a catalyst for Edward Little's turnaround. He also highlighted the defense of the Red Eddies as well as the overall size and strength. Brown said it was fun to train against Gagne, and the two are still in touch. But friendships will be pushed to the side of the road when the teams take to the ice. Gagné said it was going to be a battle. Edward Little High School boys' hockey head coach Norm Gagne performs drills on the first day of training before the 2017-2018 season. Daryn Slover / Sun Journal Buy this photo And, said Brown, not just coaching insight. "I think we are both trying to make minor adjustments during the match," said Brown. "But both teams come up with a game plan and whichever team can stick with their game plan for a full game, they will most likely win." "Previous Men's hockey: Blue Devils resist Rams push in second period Next " Men's Hockey: Kurtis Pelletier and Ryan Pomerleau of Lewiston are Travis Roy's semi-finalists Related stories picture credit