Hockey
Hockey 'Cats drop three, still in second place
By Essie Powers
YORK - The Wildcat hockey team faced three tough and tenacious opponents last week and lost to all of them, knocking York out of first place, but their determination still runs high."We're not going to let this stop us," said senior Capt. Ryan Clauson. "We're just going to hit the ice more motivated than ever."
Falmouth 6, York 3
The Falmouth Yachtsmen collected their 14th win of the season last Saturday night, Feb. 3, when they beat the Wildcats 6-3 at the Family Ice Center, but it was no easy feat.
The first period proved to be the most exciting of the night, with both teams rushing the puck and using the points and the wings to set up offensive drives.
Defenseman Dan Powers gave York the first lead of the game, scoring from the middle in the opening shifts. Winger Devin Zucker, pinching at the boards, poked the loose puck back to the point. Powers walked it to the middle and snapped it past Falmouth goalie CJ Fortier.
The Yachtsmen tied it at 1 on a goal from Mike Chase, but less than a minute later senior Jason Durkin put York on top again. Zucker, leading a rush up ice, left a drop pass for Jake Posternak, who hung near the blue line long enough to draw two defenders, then crossed the puck to Durkin who launched a back-hander from the right wing.
The 'Cats fell behind, 3-2, at the end of the first when Cam Hart scored his first of two goals. Paddy Murphy evened it up midway through the second with his shot from the slot, receiving an on-the-tape assist from line mate David Figlioli.
The Wildcats played it fast and tough through the third period. Kevin Maran, Dan Graziano and Matt Carey, powered their way into Falmouth's zone. Posternak and Durkin had some solid chances late in the game, but York could not answer the next three goals by the Yachtsmen.
Greely 2, York 1 in OT
It came as no surprise to Western Maine hockey fans when the York-Greely game went into overtime again on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the Biddeford Arena. Jesse Shavel, whose tip-in gave Greely the OT win earlier in the season, did it again this week. He one-timed a pass from Kyle Selig for the 2-1 win.
As before, the game was a shift to shift thriller, going 39 minutes in a 0-0 tie. Deep into the third period, junior Nick Richards scored the first goal of the game, slamming in front of the net with Figlioli and Murphy. With just over a minute left in regulation, Harrison Sheldon forced the overtime on a wide angle shot from the right boards.
Kennebunk 3, York 1
Murphy scored York's only goal of the game in the first period. The Kennebunk Rams tied it in the first and went ahead 2-1 in the second. Conner Finn added the empty net goal with eight seconds remaining.
The Wildcats fell to second place in the standings but have a lot of momentum to drive them through the next few weeks toward the playoffs.
Their defensive lines have played brilliantly through January. Chris Meehean, Andy Ohlson, Powers and Kal Decato have each broken up odd man rushes and blocked shots. Goal tenders Andrew Loane and Gary Merrill have shutouts under their belts and have turned away point-blank breakaways from the blue line.
The line of Richards, Figlioli, and Murphy, now on a six-game scoring streak, have provided the fire power and explosive play that has propelled the Wildcats to some thrilling wins.
The 'Cats have three more games before the preliminary rounds, beginning with Western Maine defending champs, Cape Elizabeth, this Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Biddeford Arena at 6:30 p.m.
