Lynch, Grant set tone for Stearns squad

ORONO – Josh Lynch and Justin Grant, linemates for Stearns High School of Millinocket, aren’t big by any stretch of the imagination.

But they have been huge in terms of leading the Minutemen to four consecutive Eastern Maine Class B schoolboy hockey playoff berths.

The 5-foot-8, 170-pound Lynch is his school’s all-time leading scorer in all three categories: goals (119), assists (112) and points (231).

Grant, who stands 5-7 1/2 and weighs in at 145 pounds, has 59 goals and 89 assists for 148 career points. He is the school’s fourth-leading career point-getter and second-leading assist man.

Stearns, the third seed, will take on No. 2 Brewer at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Top seed and defending state champ Winslow will take on No. 4 Messalonskee at 6 p.m. Both games are at Alfond Arena in Orono.

Center Lynch has 35 goals and 25 assists this season with left wing Grant racking up 22 goals and 33 assists.

“We work good together,” said Lynch, who has been Grant’s linemate since late in their freshman seasons. In addition, they play together on the power-play and penalty-killing units.

Grant leads the Minutemen in power-play goals (10) and shorthanded goals (3), while Lynch is second in both categories with seven and two, respectively.

They are both outstanding skaters who are strong on the puck despite their small stature.

“We’ve always clicked. We talk a lot on the ice. A lot of kids don’t do that,” said Grant. “We’ve been skating together for so long, I know what he’s going to do.”

They have attended hockey school in Prince Edward Island together the last several summers and, Lynch said, “That helps tremendously. It’s good hockey.”

They also play roller hockey in the summer.

Ironically, they say they are complete opposites off the ice and rarely spend time together.

“They are very good two-way players,” said Gardiner coach Chris Buck. “They work well together. And what I like is not only do they hustle up the ice, they hustle back, too.”

“You don’t find a duo like that very often,” said Messalonskee assistant coach John DelGiudice. “They can get the job done.”

“We hustle and dig hard,” acknowledged Grant.

“Their desire is unbelievable,” said Stearns coach Rod Daigle. “I don’t think there’s a better combination in the league.”

Lynch and Grant led Stearns to their first Eastern Maine Class B final a year ago where they lost to eventual state champ Winslow 8-6.

They feel they have improved every year and would love to cap their careers with a state title.

Both would like to continue their hockey careers in college. Both would like to continue their hockey careers in college. Lynch is interested in either Bentley College (Mass.) or New Hampshire College while Grant is leaning toward Norwich (Vt.).