In their final game of the regular season, Cheverus/Windham/Medomak girls’ hockey dismantled Biddeford 5-1 at the William B. Troubh Ice Arena in Portland on Saturday, Jan. 31. This earned the Stags the top seed as they head into the playoffs.
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| Cheverus/Windham/Medomak freshman Logan Curry of Windham moves the puck closer to the net during a girls' ice hockey game against Biddeford at the William B, Troubh Ice Arena in Portland on Saturday, Jan. 31. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA |
“It’s been great to play for Cheverus these past four years,” Cloutier said. “The people have been so welcoming and are like family to me. It really doesn’t matter what school you come from; they just treat you like (one of) their own.”
Cheverus/Windham/Medomak offense and defense was strong as they gave the Biddeford goalie a workout and kept the puck away from the Cheverus side of the ice.
The Stags went hard after the puck and were aggressive. Two minutes remained in the first period when Pompeo scored one of her four goals for the night.
Doherty scored in the first period with 44 seconds remaining. At the end of the first period, it was 2-1 favoring Cheverus/Windham/Medomak.
“We had a tough week; it was really hard; we had a few late nights,” said Windham freshman Logan Curry. “We needed to buckle down and bring it because (Biddeford) is tough, but we were ready, we wanted to win this – we just needed that energy and that led us all the way. Some things that went well were getting it deep and getting pucks on net. We didn’t do that many blind passes and did a good job on the wings. We just need to focus on our game and do what we need to do to get the job done.”
In the second period, Cheverus/Windham/Medomak moved the puck and took multiple shots on goal. Cheverus/Windham/Medomak defense shut down Biddeford scoring opportunities. Pompeo scored; 3-1, Cheverus/Windham/Medomak after two periods.
“We bare down in practices,” said Pompeo. “Coach has prepared us very well, so without him, it wouldn’t be possible. I think it’s a great start to playoffs, it felt like a playoff game. We’re prepared ... I think the defense had great breakout passes and our neutral zone was cleaned up a lot ... getting bodies in front of the net, hard pucks. I think keeping our heads in the game the whole game (is important).”
The Stag’s intensity did not drop in the third period. They were going to get this win. Cheverus/Windham/Medomak defense held back Biddeford and Pompeo scored twice more.
Stag goalie Skolnekovich, had 23 saves on 24 shots on goal.
“A lot of good teamwork and support (led to this win),” said Cheverus/Windham/Medomak girls’ hockey coach Scott Rousseau. “The game was really emotional, and we did a lot better job controlling our emotions and sticking with the things we have to do to be successful. We did a really good job to get pucks behind their defensemen and work on the cycle game and get pucks to the net and get some ugly goals. We did a good job against their top two players ... we did a really good job of not giving them much space, we tied them up. Biddeford is a really talented team, and tonight is a big win for us.
Puck management was really good, we got out of our zone pretty cleanly, and I think our wingers did a nice job of not being panicky with the puck. We really didn’t spend much time defending because we were in puck possession much of the night. If you’re in puck possession, good things are going to happen.”
Cheverus/Windham/Medomak will play in the South semifinal on Saturday, Feb. 7 with the opponent to be determined. <
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