Hockey
Wildcats hockey takes two before vacation
By Essie Powers
YORK - The Wildcats hockey team made it a clean sweep for the week as they locked up Lake Region, 9-3, on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Biddeford, and blew past the Windjammers in Camden, 7-3, on Saturday.The Cats had all three lines in the scoring column and put their special teams to work on the power play and penalty kill.
Lake Region scored first on Wednesday night, but they could not keep pace with York's style and fell behind quickly when the Cats put in four goals in five minutes. Junior Chris Meehean scored on the first power play of the game with a slapshot from the point, and freshman David Figlioli put his name in the Wildcat record books for the first time with his quick push from the right post.
"I was looking for (Ryan) Clauson in the corner," said Figlioli. "He got it right back to me, and I just tipped it in. It felt great."
Ryan Clauson had three assists in the period, including his third to senior Matt Carey, who had two goals and an assist on the night. Kevin Maran made it 4-1, York, when his wingers Devin Zucker and Jake Posternak set him up for the shot.
The Cats extended their lead to 8-2 in the second. Defenseman Dan Powers had two goals, from Carey and Kyle Banfield, who each added another point. Figlioli assisted Clauson in the third, making it 9-3, York.
York continued with their winning ways as they traveled northward to Camden on Saturday night. Playing before a standing-room-only crowd at the spectacular Mid Coast Ice Center, the Cats exploded past the Windjammers from the opening face-off forward and brought home a 7-3 win.
In the opening seconds of the game, York goalie Andrew Loane turned away a quick attempt from Camden's Bernie Bishop. Clauson sent the puck to Andy Ohlson, who slipped past the defenders, broke through the neutral zone and gave a goal mouth pass to Kyle Banfield, who found the corner. Just like that, it was York's night - and they never looked back.
Camden played with wonderful energy, chasing down loose pucks, and driving to keep the play upbeat.
"They made it look closer than it was," said junior Devin Zucker. "We just kept coming at them, creating opportunities, and making them work. Our defense just shut them down."
Junior Nick Richard, who had a goal and an assist, played a strong game at the blue line.
York had to make full use of its penalty kill talents fending off eight Camden power plays. Carey played brilliantly in the corners, tying up three Camden players behind the net in the second period. Kal Decato, Powers, Ohlson and Clauson contained a 5-on-4 Camden advantage without ever losing control of the puck. Three goals in the second from Banfield, Posternak and Matt Haight, made it 5-1, York, after two.
Zucker gave York two more in the third.
"We're really starting to develop our passing skills," he said. "We've been working on making the better pass, and now it is paying off."
Zucker's first goal came from a full ice drive by Powers, who baffled two Camden defensemen at the blue line and found Zucker at the top of the slot. In the closing minutes, Posternak danced the puck in close and hit Zucker for the snap in.
York will take on a strong Biddeford team on Saturday night, Dec. 23, at the Biddeford Arena.
2006-07 Outlook
Coach: Mike Vessey (fifth season). Key Players: F Kyle Banfield (12), F Ryan Clauson (12), F Andy Ohlson (11), D Dan Powers (11), D Chris Meehean (12), G Andrew Loane (11), F Pat Murphy (9), F Dave Figlioli (9), F Tim Murdough (9). 2005-06 season: 13-7, lost to Cape Elizabeth in the semifinals of the Western Maine Class B Tournament.
"We're returning a lot of kids, so we should be right up there again battling at the top." Vessey said. "York looks to be strong at goalie, as Loane made the conference's all-rookie team last year."
Powers was named second-team all-conference last season as a sophomore, and Vessey believes he could have an even stronger season.
"He's bigger, stronger than last year," Vessey said. "He's a very smart player."
York looks to have the makings of another successful season on its hands. The Wildcats lost only three players from last year's squad and are aiming for their fourth straight trip to the conference semifinals, and hopefully beyond.
