On Friday evening, the Lewiston Colisée was packed with 2,000 people for the Lewiston Strong Winter Classic – a night for hockey and healing. The game, between the Lewiston Police Department and the Boston Fire Department, was a face-off for charity, with all proceeds going to the victims and families affected by the Lewiston mass shooting.
The game began with Kyle Secor dropping the puck. Secor, a hockey player himself, was severely wounded during the October 25th shooting, and this game was a chance for him to get back on his home ice. Hundreds of fans showed up in support of Secor and other victims of the tragic shooting. The game raised funds through T-shirt sales and raffles to help those families.
The players themselves were also committed to helping the community. Lewiston Police Chief David St. Pierre, who played defense in the game, said, “It’s important for us to tell people that we have not forgotten, nor will we forget. We were there on that day, and we’re gonna be there going forward.”
At the end of the game, the grieving families received a touching gesture of love and support. They were presented with customized jerseys bearing their loved one’s name on the back – a beautiful tribute to those affected by the tragedy.
Mayor Carl Sheline expressed his gratitude to the community for showing up and supporting one another. “It says a lot about us,” he said, “it says that community is number one.” The Lewiston Strong Winter Classic demonstrated the power of community, strength through tragedy, and the healing power of hockey.
Lewiston lost the game 5-4 in a nailbiter.
