in the crease Archives - Lewiston Sun Journal

In the Crease: A fond farewell after nearly two decades

by Justin Pelletier, former Managing Editor Nights/Sports May 27, 2018May 29, 2018

Spoiler alert: If you are reading this, I have already worked my last day at the Sun Journal. With my not-so-secret impending move to Boston fast approaching, I recently rifled through three filing cabinets overflowing with yellowed newsprint, out-of-date scorebooks and decade-old media guides. One drawer was stacked high with some of the best work […]

Local Sports, sj-web

In the Crease: Hockey family mourns for Humboldt

by Justin Pelletier, Managing Editor Nights/Sports April 7, 2018April 8, 2018

Cruising across what felt like arctic tundra somewhere between the North Pole and Ottawa, Ontario, breath turned to vapor off the lips of junior hockey players as they huddled closely with one another. They’d scavenged what blankets and pillowcases they could find from their backpacks and travel bags as their frozen, 45-foot chariot rumbled into […]

Local Sports, sj-web, Varsity Maine

In the Crease: The difference for Devils was in the details

by Justin Pelletier, Managing Editor Nights/Sports March 10, 2018March 11, 2018

Three Biddeford skaters bore down on Lewiston keeper Conrad Albert. Only two Blue Devils defenders were back, and the Tigers were licking their chops. With one swift flick of his wrist, Ryan Bossie thwarted the chance, and two other Lewiston skaters crashed into the zone, buried the initial puck carrier and took off the other […]

Local Sports, sj-web

In the Crease: "One Goal" strikes a chord for change

by Justin Pelletier, Managing Editor Nights/Sports February 26, 2018February 27, 2018

By all accounts, Amy Bass is a pretty observant human. An accomplished author, lecturer and Emmy-winning producer, the Bates College graduate has traveled the world. When she returned to Lewiston a couple of years ago to work on her latest book, “One Goal,” she reached for her GPS. A two-year resident of John Bertram Hall […]

Local Sports, sj-web

In the Crease: My 10 favorite stories of 2017

by Justin Pelletier, Managing Editor Nights/Sports December 29, 2017December 31, 2017

Maineiacs head coach Clem Jodoin hoists the President’s Cup above his head. (Sun Journal file photo) LEWISTON — Everyone loves a good list. Even more people love a good list at an arbitrary point on the Gregorian Calendar. Just so happens that we have a widely celebrated arbitrary point coming right up, so, well, why […]

Local Sports, sj-web, SJVarsity

In the Crease: Lewiston's Lumu played for more than just a state title

by Justin Pelletier, Managing Editor Nights/Sports November 4, 2017November 6, 2017

Lewiston High School keeper Dido Lumu, far right, watches as a Portland header sails wide during the Class A boys’ state soccer final at Deering High School’s Memorial Field in Portland on Saturday. (Justin Pelletier/Sun Journal) PORTLAND — All around him was celebration. And he celebrated, too, on the outside. On the inside, though, imposing […]

Local Sports, sj-web

In the Crease: Unlucky 13 the difference between Wyman, Grindle

by Justin Pelletier, Managing Editor Nights/Sports July 13, 2017July 13, 2017

Sam Grindle eyes his shot on the 17th hole of the 98th Maine Amateur Golf Championship on Thurday at Brunswick Golf Club. BRUNSWICK — Things were going swimmingly for Sam Grindle on Thursday at the Maine Amateur Golf Championship. Until his ball went for a swim. He was cruising. In fact, he was working on […]

Local Sports, National Sports

In the Crease: Lexi Thompson was robbed

by Justin Pelletier, Managing Editor Nights/Sports April 3, 2017October 28, 2017

The Ladies Professional Golf Association owes Lexi Thompson $154,491, and an apology. The organization that purports to be an advocate for the game of golf among women and girls, that is hoping to grow a sport already suffering from years of self-inflicted elitism — intentional or otherwise — and one that already struggles to find […]

Local Sports, sj-web, Uncategorized

In the Crease: Loud and clear, Strout is a two-time champion

by Justin Pelletier, Managing Editor Nights/Sports March 11, 2017October 31, 2017

LEWISTON — All Jacob Strout could hear was nothing. The Lewiston High School goalie cast his gaze some 180 feet to the other end of the rink. There, teammate Alex Robert pounded a rebound past Falmouth goalie Spencer Pierce from the left side of the cage. With 10:53 to play in the second period, the […]

Local Sports, sj-web

In the Crease: As love for tournaments grows, so too should the tourney season

by Justin Pelletier, Managing Editor Nights/Sports February 25, 2017March 8, 2017

And so ends the busiest week of the winter sports season. Really, it’s the busiest week of the high school sports calendar, and it’s not even close: The Maine Principals’ Association awarded no fewer than 20 state team championships in the past nine days. Another five days from now, 20 teams will vie for 10 […]