Lewiston, ME – Minot native Mike Carpenter’s journey, which started in Germany took a turn a little closer to home right back at the arena he grew up playing in, the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.

The 23-year old defenseman, who spent the last four years playing with the University of Southern Maine Huskies signed a contract with the Brooklyn Aviators of the Federal Hockey League and joined them in Lewiston for the season opener against the Akwesasne Warriors as part of the FHL’s Maine Event, which Aviators won 3-2.

“It was finalized yesterday,” said Carpenter of the contract signing. “I heard something about it earlier in the week and just wanted to make sure everything was okay. I said sure and thank you for the opportunity – we will see how it goes.”

He tried out for a couple teams in Germany before ending up in Mississippi for a tryout with a Southern Professional Hockey League Team.

“I went to Germany at the end of August and things didn’t work out over there and there were some broken promises,” Carpenter said. “I went to Mississippi two weeks ago and I was there for ten days and they let me go right before the start of the regular season.”

Carpenter said the SPHL and the FHL are very comparable in terms of talent.

“I played two exhibition games (in Mississippi) and this was my first regular season game,” Carpenter added. “It was good to get down there and see what everything is about and the pace is pretty similar which was good, especially with all the skilled guys on the other side.”

Brooklyn head coach Rob Miller said Carpenter did what he was asked to do.

“I thought he played well,” said Miller. “He’s a steady (defenseman) and did well and hopefully have him come with us tomorrow to play in Cape Cod.”

Mike is still up in the air on what he will do.

“I haven’t talked to (coach) yet, and I will have to talk to him – we will play it by ear.”

Miguel Delisle got the scoring started as he picked up the garbage in the slot and lifted it into the net to give the Warriors the 1-0 lead with 4:05 left to play in the first period. Former NHL’er and Pierre Dagenais and Patrick Deraspe picked up the assists.

Dagenais made it 2-0 at 7:03 into the second period.

“I played in (Akwesasne) last year and I wanted to come back here and be close to my family and kids,” said Dagenais, who played for the New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, and the Montreal Canadiens in his NHL career. “To go back to Russia or Europe, it’s a sacrifice for the family.”

Brooklyn got within one when Chris Ferazzoli deked past David Plouffe. Chris Jones and Jordan Bernier, who spent last year with Gatineau of the QMJHL, set up the tally.

“As opposed to last year, we won the first game,” said Miller. Last year, we went 0-3 to start the season. To get the first win with a lot of new guys is pretty good against a team like that.”

The Aviators tied the contest up when Anthony Iaquinto ripped a shot past Plouffe. Andrew Owsiak and Jarrett Rush were credited with assists at the 13:23 mark of the third period.

“This league is pretty much fast paced game,” said Miller. “There’s hitting and fighting. You saw everything which was good for the fans to see. I am sure the other four games that will be here will be just like that.”

Just 51 seconds later, 1,284 fans at the Colisee saw Bernier give Brooklyn the 3-2 lead with Andrew Scampoli picking up the lone assist.

NOTES: Nicolas Corbeil, who had his QMJHL rights held by the Lewiston Maineiacs when the team moved to Lewiston from Sherbrooke didn’t dress for the Warriors. His rights were dealt during the 2003-2004 Christmas trading period to Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in exchange for Karl Fournier.