EL, St. Dom’s square off for Class A hockey title
By Justin Pelletier
Staff Writer

AUBURN – On one side, the perennial contender. On the other, the defending state champion.

St. Dom’s, with its 24 Maine Class A state titles and No. 1 seed in the West, will face the East’s top-ranked Edward Little, which won its only state title last year.

“We recognize the tradition that they have,” EL coach Jamie Belleau said. “I think, too, the fact that it’s St. Dom’s against EL, two schools in Auburn, will heighten everyone’s expectations for the type of game it’s going to be. As far as preparation goes, though, we will prepare for them like normal.”

This season, for the first time in four years, EL upended the Saints – twice by scores of 6-1 and 3-2.

“We know that if we play a good, hard, physical game that we can skate with them,” Belleau said. “We can’t take for granted that we have two wins over them this year, though.”

The reason?

Belleau calls it “extreme depth” and, of course, tradition.

St. Dom’s spent much of its time this season using two top lines to provide much of its offense. In the playoffs, though, the third line of Mike Perreault, Pat Ouellette and Kyle Tyburski has seen more action.

“They’ve come through in all three playoff games so far,” St. Dom’s coach Bob Boucher said. “They have a goal at least in each game. We have been able to roll three lines all season, and we certainly will against EL.”

Of course, the Saints also have the line of Jon Rutt, Tyler Martin, and Josh Dwinal, who lined up well against NYA’s top three on Tuesday. The Saints trio can move the puck well in transition and all three can bury the puck at opportune moments.

Shawn Longley, a recuperated A.J. Babineau and Erik Rousseau, are all shifty players in the offensive zone and can create solid scoring chances. Freshman Cam Robichaud, meanwhile, might be the the odd man out, but he has played well and is sure to get more ice time Saturday.

“We’ll definitely find somewhere to put him in,” Boucher said. “Cam has played very well for us this season. Actually, having him is an added bonus. You can never have too many good forwards.”

For EL, the defensive zone will be the key to slowing down the Saints’ offense. Mert Gould and Billy Parker have been solid on defense for the Red Eddies all season, have played key roles in the playoffs. Alex Chaloux and Jacob Markum have also been solid on defense.

“Each team is going to have certain matchups they will want to use against the other team,” Belleau said. “Our first line will most likely get their opportunities, but just like in the game against Lewiston, where two forwards and a defensemen that weren’t Kyle (Smith) or Colby (Gilbert), we need our other lines, too.”

Offensively, of course, Smith and Gilbert will get top billing, and rightfully so. But linemate Joel Pepin and second and third liners Matt Couturier, Jackson Keene, Matt Nadeau and Kevin Pontbriand all can score.

“We know they are deep, just like we are,” Boucher said. “The first period is going to be critical, finding out which matchups work the best and weathering an initial storm.”

“Last year, we were trying to win the big game to bring a sense of tradition and history to EL hockey,” Belleau said. “This year, we have to try and build on that, and what better way to do that than to play a team like St. Dom’s under these circumstances. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

jpelletier@sunjournal.com

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