Girls' hockey: City teams have sights set on state title

Lewiston’s Sara Robert and Cheverus’ Hannah Woodford battle for control of the puck during a hockey game at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee earlier this season. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal File Photo)

Save for one contender, if you’re looking for who might be hoisting the girls’ hockey state championship trophy in a week and a half, stick to the cities.

In the North region, the top two teams hail from the Twin Cities, with Lewiston/Monmouth/Oak Hill at No. 1, followed by rival St. Dominic Academy — the two-time defending champ — as the No. 2 seed.

In the South region, Cheverus/Kennebunk dominated its way to the top seed, while Portland/Deering slotted in right behind at No. 2.

The team with the best chance at traveling to Androscoggin Bank Colisee on February 17 from outside the the municipalities of Lewiston/Auburn or Portland and winning the whole thing is Greely/Gray-New Gloucester, the No. 3 seed in the North.

No favorite in the North

Two years ago, the North region was a two-horse race between top-seeded Greely and eventual champion St. Dom’s, and last year the Saints skated through the season undefeated on their way to another title. This year, however, three’s company in the North.

“Any one of these three could win the North and I don’t think anyone would be too surprised,” Greely/Gray-NG coach Nate Guerin said. “We’ve all got a chance. It’s going to come down to one game and it should be an awesome North regional final — regardless of who is competing.”

After missing out on the playoffs last year, Lewiston/Monmouth/Oak Hill got an infusion of freshmen talent to go along with a large core of capable returning players to join the head table with the Saints and Rangers. The Blue Devils beat both, and their only losses came in a rematch with St. Dom’s and in an overtime thriller against Cheverus/Kennebunk. Their 16-2 record was enough to knock the Saints out of the top seed.

It took a perfect storm of experienced leadership, the talented freshmen meshing well with the returners, and sophomore goalie Camree St. Hilaire playing spectacular when called upon. Head coach Ron Dumont said throughout the season that he tried to put his freshmen in high-pressure situations whenever possible to best mimic what they’ll encounter in their first postseason.

St. Dom’s lost some key pieces from its two championship rosters, and filling that void proved difficult at times during the season — both in sheer numbers and trying to reciprocate the talent of those lost players. The Saints still have “explosive scorer” Avery Lutrzykowski, along with a strong defensive duo in senior Katya Fons and junior Emma Theriault. Senior goalie Payton Winslow started showing her talent while facing many more shots than she did during those championship years.

Saints coach Paul Gosselin said playoff experience is one of the biggest strengths for his team entering the playoffs.

“(The) girls know what it takes emotionally and physically to win,” Gosselin said. “(It) helps bring along the younger girls who are less experienced and can be wowed by the events and pressure.”

The Rangers, who lost to St. Dom’s in the regional final each of the past two years, also have had to fill some holes, namely in goal. Like the Saints, they still have a dynamic scorer on the roster in senior Courtney Sullivan. Fellow seniors forwards Bridget Roberts and Molly Horton also provide experience and leadership to the team.

“These seniors have played a bunch of playoffs games over the past three seasons,” Guerin said.

The Rangers have had some painful playoff exits. This year’s seniors lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Edward Little/Leavitt as freshmen, then had their perfect season ended by St. Dom’s as sophomores. But a regular-season-ending victory over the Saints on the road exacted some revenge and gave the Rangers confidence that they can conquer St. Dom’s again.

First they’ll have to get past upset-minded EL/Leavitt/Poland, the No. 6 seed in the North. The Red Hornets have the kind of goalie (“outstanding,” according to Guerin) in sophomore Manny Guimond who can steal a game. A middle-clogging defense in front of her could frustrate the Rangers, which will be a good test for Guerin’s team if they are to continue on and face either the Saints and/or Blue Devils.

St. Dom’s will be waiting for the winner of that game, meaning the Saints will match up either with their recent postseason rival or their cross-town rival. The Blue Devils will face either No. 4 Winslow/Gardiner, which they just routed in the KVAC title game, or No. 5 Brunswick.

Stags the favorite in the South

Ever since winning the state title in 2010 Cheverus has struggled to find similar success, either as a single entity or has a co-operative program with Kennebunk (and Old Orchard Beach the previous two seasons). But in former Falmouth boys’ coach Scott Rousseau’s second year leading the Stags they finally put it all together. A mostly veteran team brought in freshmen Lucia Pompeo and Emma McCauley and finished with a state-leading 17-1 regular-season record.

“Cheverus is a well-rounded team,” Gosselin said. “Disciplined and confident.”

That confidence has steadily grown throughout the season, and took big leaps after ending the Saints’ 29-game winning streak and handing the Blue Devils their first defeat.

The Stags’ only loss came on New Year’s Day against rival Portland/Deering.

And if the Stags are a bit of a surprise contender, then the Bulldogs are a magic act. Portland/Deering hadn’t made the playoffs since 2012, but under new coach Tom Clifford the Bulldogs are a different team. They went 13-5 to earn the No. 2 seed in the South, well ahead of third-ranked Cape Elizabeth/Waynflete/South Portland. The last two regional champs — Scarborough in 2016 and Falmouth in 2017 — finished fourth and sixth, respectively.

The South is the Stags’ region to lose this season.

“Cheverus is up there with the top three in the North and I think that those four teams are a significant step above everyone else in the state,” Guerin said. “Portland may be able to challenge Cheverus but I’m not sure if they will be able to repeat their performance from the City Cup earlier this season. Cheverus is going to be very motivated to avenge that loss.”

The Stags will face Scarborough in the regional semifinals, while the Bulldogs will get the winner of a Capers-Yachtsmen quarterfinal. They split with the Capers during the regular season, and beat Falmouth in the only meeting this season.

Some of the season’s best games came between those top four teams, though the Stags and Rangers didn’t meet during the regular season. If Cheverus/Kennebunk does realize its potential and get to the state final it’ll likely face a stiff test in what could be a highly competitive championship game.

“I don’t think we’re wired to think (too far ahead), to be honest with you,” Rousseau said. “If we’ve won the last game, and there’s no one left, then we’ll celebrate.”

wkramlich@sunjournal.com

Portland/Deering’s Caroline Lerch, left, can only watch after Saint Dominic Academy’s Callie Samson got past her and fired a shot on goal during a game at the Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn earlier this season. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal File Photo)St. Dominic’s Emma Theriault tries to gain advantage on Lewiston’s Madison Conley during the hockey game at the Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn earlier this season. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal File Photo)