LEWISTON — Different opponent, and lower stakes, but the same venue, producing the same, satisfying result.

Returning for their first regular season visit to the Colisee since winning the state title back in March, Thornton Academy showed its fondness for the building by handing St. Dominic an 8-1 hammering in a Maine Class A boys hockey tilt Wednesday.

Senior sniper C.J. Maksut, whose dramatic goal in double overtime against Lewiston gave the Trojans their first-ever state crown, enjoyed yet another stellar night, recording four points on three goals and an assist.

“It was a big bounce-back game for us,” said Maksut, referring to the 5-3 loss handed them by Falmouth in their last start, just before Christmas. We wanted to focus on playing a complete game. I think we did that tonight.”

Senior forward Andrew Carignan echoed the thought, adding that what happened here nearly nine months ago was all but forgotten.

“That was so far back in the past,” said Carignan. “We just wanted to think about the Falmouth game, play three solid periods, and get the win.”

Thornton made quick work of the Saints, jumping out to a 2-0 lead, which grew to 4-1 after one period, then ballooned to 6-1 after two.

Maksut had a hand in three of the first-period goals, setting up linemate Bryan Dallaire’s goal at 3:34, then getting his first of the night on a power play just 63 seconds later.

Dallaire’s goal came on a rebound left by St. Dom’s starting goalie Grant Carrier after he stopped Maksut’s drive from the slot.

Maksut’s was a near duplicate, which came from the same spot.

“I actually tried to pass it to the back post,” said Maksut, “and it came back to me. The goalie was down, so I tried to put it up. I think he might have gotten a piece of it.”

Helping matters was the traffic jam created by the large net front presence of Tyler Danley, Thornton’s hulking defenseman, which was a new power play wrinkle devised by Trojans coach Jamie Gagnon last week during the Maine High School Invitational.

“That was one of the things we changed up,” said Gagnon. “It’s another option, and certainly allows our perimeter players to get some time and space.”

“That added a lot,” said Maksut. “No one’s going to move Tyler from in front. It creates a screen, and any loose pucks, he’s going to battle for. It’s great to have him in front.”

The Saints replied at 9:50, when Brad Berube jumped on a loose puck and swatted it past Thornton goalie Joe Ferrante.

Any momentum St. Dom’s might have garnered, however, the Trojans stopped cold at 10:43, when Maksut scored on a spin move from the top of the left circle.

Nick Chen capped the explosive stanza in the waning seconds when he finished a backhand breakaway.

“I thought we moved the puck well,” said Carignan, “and our defensive zone coverage was good.”

Maksut completed his hat trick, when, at 3:42 of the second period, he squeezed in his third goal ”“ and 10th of the season ”“ from a tight angle, low in the right circle.

It upped Maksut’s career-point total to 108, leaving him three behind Matt Brennick, who graduated in 2000 with what is believed to be the school record (49-62-111).

Andrew Carignan added another goal four minutes later.

Alex Fallon and Robbie Downing added third-period goals to finish the rout.

“The score doesn’t indicate how close the teams are,” said Gagnon. “I thought we were opportunistic tonight. I thought we did a better job of putting three periods together instead of just coming out strong and slowly fading downhill.”

The Trojans will return to action Friday, when they’ll renew their ancient rivalry with Biddeford at Biddeford Ice Arena. The opening face off is slated for 5 p.m.

— Staff Writer Dan Hickling can be contacted at 282-1535.