AUBURN – Edward Little and St. Dom’s have been touted all season for their offense. When teams average six goals per game, what is often overlooked is the goaltending.

The two schools playing in Saturday’s Class A state championship feature three of the best goaltenders in the state. One goalie has been here before, and the other two are making their first appearance. All three are key to their team’s success.

Second time is a charm

Old hat? Hardly, says Edward Little junior Kris Bennett, who was the goalie of record in last year’s state title run .

“I suppose I am a little nervous,” Bennett said Thursday, “but this is practice. The real test comes on Saturday.”

Bennett’s goals-against average is hovering in the 1.15-1.35 range, depending on who you ask, a miniscule number considering how many goals the Eddies put up this season.

“I probably had a bit more room,” Bennett said, “but it always helps to have a consistent offense like that.”

Last season, Ethan Caswell was the team’s No. 1 goaltender to start the year, but before long the two were sharing duties. By the end of the season, Bennett became the go-to guy.

“I told him as the season wound down last year that he was going to be our guy,” EL coach Jamie Belleau said. “I told him if we were going to go places, he was taking us there.”

“Last year I had competition for the job,” Bennett said. “This year I knew it was all mine, and in a way that’s more pressure, too.”

With two years of varsity experience under his belt, Bennett has become a more consistent netminder.

“I think the biggest part of his game that has improved is his confidence around the net when the puck is there,” Belleau said.

“He moves the puck well for a goalie at this level.”

Facing shots from Maine’s most prolific scoring offense in practice hasn’t hurt, either, and neither do his solid grades nor his work ethic in the gym. Bennett and the Red Eddies might be in a unique position to collect a second straight state title. The last team to do that was St. Dom’s in 1999 and 2000.

Table for two

Three playoff games, three wins, two goaltenders.

St. Dom’s also has an edge with two capable goaltenders – Brandon Gervais and Brady Blackman – who are ready to play against one of the more potent offensive lineups in recent memory.

“Brandon has been very good for us all season, and so has Brady,” St. Dom’s coach Bob Boucher. “Last year, Gervais played in most of our games, and this year, too.”

In the playoffs, Blackman, who estimates he has played in seven regular-season varsity games, got the call against Cheverus at home and North Yarmouth Academy in Portland.

“In those games we felt that Brady matched up better against the team we were playing,” Boucher said.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to see the ice in the playoffs,” Blackman said with a grin. “I just do what I am told, and they wanted me out there, so I went.”

The shy demeanor seems typical of the kind of goaltender Blackman is on the ice. He is aggressive around the net and challenges shooters from the top of his crease.

“Unfortunately, only one of them can start,” Boucher said.

Gervais was steady all season, posting a goals-against average in the middle 1.50s.

“Gervais has done a great job for us all season and had one of the best averages in the state,” Boucher said. “He helped to bring us to where we are now. With two of them, they keep each other honest.”

The Saints have lost twice to Edward Little during the rtegular season. Gervais played the first game, a blowout loss at Ingersoll Arena, while Blackman played the second, a 3-2 loss at the Colisee.

“We still haven’t decided who will play,” Boucher said. “Either way, though, I think we have a good choice.”

jpelletier@sunjournal.com

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