Lewiston’s Gemma Landry, right, fires a shot past Yarmouth/Freeport goalie Allie Perrotta during the second period of Saturday night’s girls’ hockey game at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston on February 9, 2019. (Sun Journal photo by Russ Dillingham)

LEWISTON — Lewiston coach Ron Dumont worried a little about his team’s nerves heading into Saturday’s North Region girls’ hockey semifinal against No. 4 Yarmouth/Freeport.

Even though top-ranked Lewiston entered the contest undefeated and had hung a 10-0 decision on the Clippers in late December, the postseason opener is often a different environment.

However, a short-handed goal by Leah Landry 2:46 into the game started the hosts on the right foot, and the Blue Devils cruised to an 8-0 victory at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.

Lewiston (19-0) will host the winner of Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland vs. St. Dom’s (who faced off late Saturday night) on Wednesday back at the Colisee, while the Clippers’ season ends with a 12-8 record.

Landry’s early tally seemed to relax the Blue Devils.

“Playoff games, it doesn’t matter what happened in the regular season. We had to come out and execute. The short-handed goal gives you a boost,” Dumont said.

Early on, the story seemed to revolve around Clippers sophomore netminder Allie Perrotta. Despite Lewiston peppering the Yarmouth/Freeport goaltender, the game remained 1-0 until a wrist shot from Blue Devils senior defenseman Grace Dumond found its way through a screen for a 2-0 Blue Devils lead at 10:32 of the opening frame.

Perrotta made 26 saves on 29 Lewiston shots in the first period as the Clippers trailed 3-0 through 15 minutes.

“She is outstanding and I am really excited to see what she will bring to the table the next few years playing for us,” said Yarmouth/Freeport assistant coach Kelly Connors, who ran the Clipper bench with head coach Megan Vaughn sick. “Allie puts in a lot of hard work and has improved a lot. She normally stands on her head for us.”

Lewiston continued to force the action in the Clippers zone. Perrotta robbed Dumond in close and turned away Gemma Landry on a breakaway to keep the visitors in the game in the second period.

“She was awesome and kept them right in,” Dumont said. “In these types of games, the longer it goes the more confidence they get.”

But, Lewiston’s pressure finally paid off, as the line of Gemma Landry, Sara Robert and Madison Conley took over. Gemma Landry made it a 4-0 contest at 8:39 off an assist each from her linemates. In all, the sophomore threesome combined for 11 points.

“We definitely have a connection and we know where each other are. We have played together for three to four years. It keeps us strong,” said Gemma Landry, who had one goal and four assists. “(Perrotta) did an amazing job, but eventually we found the corners and moved her a little bit.”

Lilly Gish scored Lewiston’s second short-handed goal of the game off an assist from Gemma Landry, and Brie Dube made it a 6-0 contest after two periods.

“Three goals is not insurmountable at this level, so those next few goals in the second period were really important,” said Dumont, whose squad held a 46-4 shot advantage through 30 minutes.

“They have a very good team,” Connors said. “They just have many girls who are individually really talented and they work well as a team.”

Yarmouth/Freeport finally put some pressure on Lewiston goaltender Camree St. Hilaire in the third period. The line of Lily Caulfield, Lizzie Guertler and Lilly Weinrich fired four shots on the Blue Devils’ cage on one shift but couldn’t get anything by St. Hilare, who earned the shutout with 11 saves in the game.

“It was a great season for us,” Connors said of the Clippers. “Just from last year to this year, we had a better record and great seniors that worked their butts off and led us. We are really proud of them.”

For Lewiston, it is onto the next step for a team with just one senior and a roster full of underclassmen.

“It is special,” Dumont said. “You only have four years in high school and a lot of people don’t get there at all. These kids will get a taste of the regional final early on in their young careers.”

Dube had a goal and an assist for Lewiston, while Kristen Lachance scored the final goal off an assist from Veda Leclerc.

Lewiston’s Grace Dumond, center, swats at a rebound as Yarmouth/Freeport’s Allie Perrotta looks to cover up during Saturday night’s girls’ hockey game at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston on February 9, 2019. (Sun Journal photo by Russ Dillingham)

Lewiston’s Brie Dube, left watches the puck fly towards the goalpost behind Yarmouth/Freeport goalie Allie Perrotta at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston during Saturday night’s girls’ hockey game between Lewiston High School and Yarmouth/Freeport on February 9, 2019. At right is Lewiston’s Leah Landry and Sophia Newberg. (Sun Journal photo by Russ Dillingham)

Yarmouth Freeport’s Kyaira Grondin, left, tries to prevent Lewiston’s Brie Dube, center from jumping on a rebound off a save by Yarmouth/Freeport goalie Allie Perrotta at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston during Saturday night’s girls’ hockey game between Lewiston High School and Yarmouth/Freeport on February 9, 2019. (Sun Journal photo by Russ Dillingham)

Copy the Story Link