Class B will be the picture of parity in 2004-05, with just two or three top teams with which to contend, and just two or three lower-tier teams left struggling to hang on.

At the top, Cape Elizabeth will be the odds-on favorite to continue its dominance of the West, and also continue that conference’s dominance at the state level. Class B West teams have won the state title five of the last six years, with Cape Elizabeth winning twice in that span.

Ironically, the team that may have the best chance at ending the Western run may be the team that at one point in the late 1990’s had won four of five state Class B titles -Winslow.

With the level of competition the teams will face, however, Cape will get the nod early.

“Obviously we are excited to get the season underway,” said new Cape Elizabeth coach Jason Tremblay, who inherits 15 returning letter-winners. “We realize there are a lot of expectations on our program, but ones that we feel will challenge us and make us better throughout the season.”

Dan Rautenberg may be the one of the best two or three forward skaters in Maine, and will lead a talented group of seven seniors intent on bringing the title back to Cape for the second time in three seasons.

Yarmouth, a traditional rival to Cape Elizabeth, will be solid on the front end, and at least decent at the blue line, but the biggest question mark for the Clippers will be in net, where Alex Bubier will not play because of an injury. His experience will be used on the blue line, however, where he will be able to play in front of Kevin Santillo, who transferred in from North Yarmouth Academy this season.

The drop off from Cape and Yarmouth seems drastic, but in reality may be only slight. Greely, Hall-Dale/Winthrop, Leavitt, York and Maranacook are all top-teams-in-waiting, and all have extensive firepower that may facilitate a faster-than-expected rise to the top.

Fryeburg will take a small tumble this season thanks to serious graduation losses, and Gorham may make some waves behind new head coach Norm Gagne, who owns four Class A titles as a head coach for Waterville.

In the East, after last season, Orono would have to be the favorite to again take the Eastern title, save for two or three key players missing through transfer and graduation. That leaves the door wide open for Winslow, a traditional power that enjoyed a not-so-traditional 2003-04.

The Black Raiders effectively rebuilt last season and now return 16 skaters from a year ago. Even in a rebuilding year last season, Winslow did make the playoffs.

“We’re happy to be able to work with all of these kids all summer in summer tournaments and get them all under the same system,” said Winslow coach Don Skillings. “The program is definitely headed in the right direction.”

Winslow will also benefit from a very tough schedule, with crossover games against Cape Elizabeth, Yarmouth and Greely, as well as preseason Class A games against Lewiston and Edward Little.

“The tougher the opponent early, the tougher the kids will be later in the season,” said Skillings. “We want to expose them to some top-notch talent, even if it means a few losses early.”

Orono and Winslow will be joined in the battle for the playoffs by perennial contender Gardiner, which should also be solid enough to make the old Gardiner/Winslow rivalry vibrant again.

From the Northern end, Houlton-Hodgdon should give that division a solid run for its money, and may challenge Orono in the East come playoff time.

Foxcroft Academy, Hampden, Stearns and Presque Isle should also be in contention for a playoff spot, while John Bapst and Old Town continue to build for the future.