Hockey
Three wins, two shut-outs and first place for hockey 'Cats
By Essie Powers
YORK - The York High School hockey team played three games in four days and added three more victories to their record, including the most dramatic win of the season so far in a brilliantly played 1-0 game against Winslow, Class A-East, on Saturday night, Jan. 13, at Biddeford.Their coaches had only praise for the boys in blue.
"It was one of the gutsiest, most hard-working wins on record," said Coach Jim Powers.
"To a man, everybody's best game so far," added Coach Michael Vessey.
It was an East-meets-West confrontation. Winslow brought an undefeated record into the match and a history of scoring more than four goals against their opponents. York goalie Andrew Loane changed all that with his shut-out of the Raiders offense.
"Andrew was awesome tonight," said junior defenseman Kal Decato.
And from Chris Meehean, "He was stopping shots like nobody's business."
Devin Zucker scored the only goal of the game late in the first period, tapping in a rebound from Andy Ohlson's shot from the left slot. After that it was an all-out race for the puck at both ends.
"We knew they were coming in with a great record," said Zucker, "but we were ready for them."
Winslow out-shot York in the first 30 minutes, 21 to 14, but Loane kept closing the gate, kicking out point-blank shots at critical junctures and diving to stop a blast at the right post.
"My defense was with me all the way," said Loane. "We are in perfect harmony. We talk in the games and we talk at practice and we work to win games like this one."
Wildcat forward Kevin Maran had his second-period goal called back, a factor that motivated York to fend off four Raider power plays. Ohlson, Meehean and Dan Powers denied Winslow in their five-on-three attempt in front of York's net.
"They are a strong team, and they like to cycle the puck," said Meehean, "but we were cutting off their passes and taking them out of their game."
Along the boards and in close to the net, the spirited play of Nick Richards, Matt Carey and Dan Graziano gave the Wildcats big surges in the third period, passing and back-checking while Jake Posternak, David Figlioli and Decato put some shots on Raider goalie Hayden Fuller, who did a spectacular job in the net with 24 saves on the night.
With intensity at a season high, the 'Cats continued to play their most disciplined and cohesive game of the year.
Kyle Banfield tied up the puck along the boards to chew through a penalty kill late in the game. Maran won an important face-off back to Matt Haight, who cleared it out while York was short-handed. Paddy Murphy dove in front of a slap shot from the point, and Powers and Meehean each blocked three shots.
In one onslaught by Winslow, Loane made four saves in 13 seconds, appearing to fill up the entire goal.
"Andrew was the great blue heron tonight," said Powers. "He was everywhere."
Loane had some compliments to give out as well: "It was an entire defensive shutout. No, actually, a whole team shutout. When we're at our best, no one can beat us."
York 4, Maranacook 1
Junior forward Posternak scored two goals in York's win over third-place Maranacook last Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the Biddeford Arena.
It was the first of two straight wins for York goalie Gary Merrill.
Bears forward Ben Giguere gave Maranacook the early lead with his goal from the middle. The 'Cats tied it in the second period on Posternak's first goal from Richard and Murphy, and went ahead 2 to1 when Powers hit from the point off a pass up the left boards from senior Graziano.
Carey's hustle in the corner set up Maran for his goal in the third, and Posternak buried his second of the night on an assist from Zucker.
Domenic Ferrande gave York a power play late in the game, and freshman PJ Stocks played his first shifts for the 'Cats, coming in for the defense to give York the 4-1 win.
York 5, Marshwood 0
York goalie Merrill put up his first shutout of the year for the Wildcats, helping his team to a 5-0 win over Marshwood-Traip last Friday, Jan. 12, at the Dover Arena.
For the offense, senior Carey dished out four goals to his teammates, including two to Maran and one each to Powers and Banfield.
Marshwood had five power play attempts against the 'Cats, but could not convert on any of them.
Posternak gave York another point in the third from Richard and freshman Max Leeman. Leeman, with his classmates Tanner Chase and Corey Decato, added to York's depth and helped put every line in the scoring column. Maran, Powers and Ferrande also had assists.
These wins keep York in first place as they head to Rochester, N.H., this Saturday, Jan. 20, to face Noble.
