Lewiston co-op boys hockey knocks off Edward Little, advances to Class A semifinals

The Blue Devils open the Class A playoffs with a commanding quarterfinal victory over the rival Red Eddies.

Posted February 27

Updated February 28

Jimmy James Staff Writer

Lewiston High School’s Anthony Kavanaugh jumps into the glass after scoring a goal in the second period of the Feb. 27 playoff game against Edward Little High School of Auburn at The Colisée in Lewiston. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image

LEWISTON — Sam Cloutier knows just how exciting rivalry games are between Lewiston and Edward Little.

After all, the former Blue Devils captain and current head coach has witnessed them from two vantage points.

“Lewiston/EL, always an emotional one, and then you get them first round in the playoffs,” said Cloutier. “And in the home barn, it’s always a little extra exciting.”

The third-seeded Blue Devils extended their season Friday night at The Colisée with a 6-3 win over the No. 6 Red Eddies in a Class A quarterfinal. It was the third victory over Edward Little this season for the Lewiston co-op, which won 4-1 on Dec. 27 and 7-4 on Jan. 24.

Lewiston/Mt. Ararat/Lisbon/Morse (13-5-1) will play Tuesday at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland against the winner of a quarterfinal Saturday between No. 2 Cheverus/Yarmouth (12-6) and No. 7 Lake Region/Fryeburg/Oxford Hills (12-6).

“Feels good to beat our rivals in our own barn,” sophomore Parker Crafts said.

Lewiston got to work early, with senior Colton Dionne scoring off an assist from junior Lawson Mayer within the first five minutes. The Blue Devils added two more goals in the first, then extend their lead to 5-0 early in the second period.

Edward Little, though, climbed back into the game with three goals later in the second, two of which came from junior Jack Caron.

“Anytime you get that kind of a lead on a team, you just try to tell the boys not to get comfortable,” Cloutier said. “And we did get comfortable a little bit in the second, but they responded well in the third. And that’s what we needed to get the job done, and we’re moving on.”

Crafts, who scored the only goal in the third period, and senior Aizyk Laliberte each finished with two goals and an assist. Anthony Kavanaugh, a sophomore, tallied a goal and an assist.

“We were really prepared for this game,” Laliberte said. “We came ready. We came out firing and got the job done.”

Now the Blue Devils will turn their attention to the semifinals.

“It’s me and a lot of other of our teammates’ first time in the playoffs for high school hockey, so we’re nervous and ready to go to the semis,” Crafts said.