The Maine Nordiques snapped their two-game losing streak with a 6-0 win over the New Hampshire Mountain Kings in an NAHL East Division contest at Tri-Town Arena in Hooksett, New Hampshire, on Friday night.
Thomas Heaney was stellar in goal by stopping all 30 shots he faced.
“It was a good rebound win for us; I thought we were all out of sorts last weekend,” Nordiques coach Nick Skerlick said. “It was good to play really hard up to the end and not have any dumb penalties or letdowns for Tommy to get his first shutout of the year. He deserved it.”
Maine (25-8-4, 54 points) got contributions throughout the lineup, with 16 players recording at least one point, including Heaney with an assist. Kellen Murphy led the way with two goals, while Liam Gilmartin had a goal and an assist.
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“Braedan Campbell got his first point of his career tonight in his second game all season,” Skerlick said. “He has been practicing with us all season — he’s been in and out with injuries. We try to get him in when we can. So, I was happy to see him get an assist. Arseni Vorobyov has had a couple of grade-A chances in his last 12 games — it was nice for him to shoot the puck right into the net there. It was an awesome experience for a lot of guys.”
Murphy got the Nordiques going nearly eight minutes into the first period.
The Nordiques struck twice in 22 seconds late in the first stanza when forward Nils Forselius and defenseman JP Steele stretched the lead to 3-0.
Gilmartin carried Maine’s momentum in the second when his shot got past New Hampshire goalie Stefan Carney (22 saves).
“When you play 6-0 and you play well defensively, you can roll four lines,” Skerlick said. “I think all four of our lines have the ability to score goals. When we are up a couple of goals, we can increase our leads if everyone buys in to play well defensively.”
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The Nordiques again struck twice in less than a minute later in the middle frame. Murphy notched his second and Vorobyov pushed Maine’s lead to 6-0.
“That’s what we were doing early in the year, scoring almost every weekend twice in one minute,” Skerlick said. “I don’t think we have done in it in a little bit here, including that eight-game winning streak.”
The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
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In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Pease Air National Guard KC-46 Pegasus air refueling aircraft in June 2023.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
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