Hebron, ME – We had scouts watching the Maine Prep Cup hosted at Hebron Academy. Below is our recap of both games.
Right from puck drop, both teams get shots on goal to settle into the game. NYA holds the majority of possession early on and gets rewarded with gaining the game’s first goal. Just under 15 minutes left in the 1st, Berwick looks to chip the puck out, but Reese Weaver for NYA gets a skate on it and circles the net and centers a pass in front to Kenlie Nadeau. It appeared to have been scored by Nadeau, but Weaver is first in line for handshakes. Weaver makes a great pass over to Cappy Daniels with under 3 minutes to go in the 1st, and Daniels slides it back over for a great chance on goal, but Ragan Schank for Berwick reads it well for a great save. NYA takes a penalty with 2:15, and Berwick looks to gain momentum on the man up. Cody Strawbridge does a great job, not letting Berwick set up, and gives constant pressure to help kill off the penalty. That effort and solid effort from the rest of the team helps NYA skate off the ice after period 1 up 1-0.
Second period underway, and around the same time NYA got their first goal, they get there second goal around 3 minutes into the period. A great stick lift by Daniels springs a 2 on 1, and she slides it over to Weaver, who looks to have her second of the game, 2-0 NYA. Berwick strikes back quickly with a good defensive stick by Rylee White helps her chip the puck free for a breakaway. White uses her slick hands to make a move to her backhand and slides it into the net to make this a 2-1 game. With around 10 minutes left, a point shot frees up a chance in front for Berwick, and Ava Souza shoots it but a great save by Eve-Marie Leclerc for NYA helps keep their 2-1 lead. Berwick heads to the power play and develops a strong possession. That would all come crashing down with a blocked shot by Nadeau, who gets on a breakaway and shoots it low glove for a short-handed goal to regain a 2-goal lead. Berwick put more pressure on goal this period, but they are walking away from this period down 2, 3-1 NYA after 2.
NYA hops on the power play early on in the 3rd and Strawbridge has a great chance net front and almost puts her team up 3, but a strong save by Schank keeps things 3-1. Match penalty taken with 13:30, and we have 4 on 4 hockey. NYA takes another penalty and finds themselves down a player, we play 4 on 3, and much needed for Berwick to try and get back into this game. Emily Hester carries the puck in and circles the zone, finding Ella Souza on the point who finds Izzy Cochran on the doorstep and is able to squeak one through to capitalize on the 4 on 3. Isabelle Hinkley does a good job on the power play late to move the puck smoothly and not force any passes. Scramble in front of the goal with 2:40 left and the goalie looks to have had it covered, and shocking to see no whistle, but NYA takes advantage and Katie Berard backhands it home to go up 2 goals late. Berwick pulls the goalie, but it is not enough; NYA takes it 4-2 and heads to the Maine Prep Cup Championships next week.
Three Stars
First: Reese Weaver (NYA)
Second: Cappy Daniel (NYA)
Third: Eve-Marie Leclerc (NYA)
Kents Hill vs Hebron
Both teams develop good offensive pressure. A pass from Lilliana Baldasaro off the rush springs Edith Hayes on a breakaway for the game’s first great chance on goal, and the shot misses wide. Since then, Hebron has carried the majority of the 1st period. That pressure would pay off on the rush. Mathilde Boisvert slides it over to Sage Joyce, who puts a shot on and then shoots a rebound from below the goal line that catches Kent’s Hill goalie by surprise and finds the back of the net for the game’s first goal, 1-0 Hebron. With just under 11 minutes, Hebron gets another with a great rush up ice by Baldasaro, who wins a battle behind the net, backhand passes it to the slot to Hayes, who rips it home to make it 2-0. Kents Hill applies good pressure off a good keep-in by Caroline Netten. Marissa Payne also helps command the puck and keeps the pressure in favor of Kents Hill. Hebron gets another chance alone in front from Hayes, but a great save by Suki Lalonde keeps the score at 2-0, which is how the 1st would end.
Kents Hill generates good offense early in the second. Shot from the point by Addison Estey frees up a rebound for Remy LeBel, who gets a couple whacks at it, but it stays out. Another great chance in front from Hudson Wallace in the slot, but again, a great save by Isa Fischer. All the Kent’s Hill pressure finally pays off with a shot from the high slot by Alannah Baggs, who rips one high to get the score within 1, 2-1. That would not last because shortly after, a rebound in the slot finds Hayes stick and she picks up her second of the game to regain the 2-goal lead for Hebron, 3-1. Adrianna Ducey on Kents Hill continued to be smart with the puck and smartly rushed the puck up ice when needed throughout the first half of this game. The score would stay at 3-1 after 2.
Under 6 minutes left, Kents Hill swarms Hebron and builds good pressure and chances to try and even up this evenly matched game. Kents Hill pulls the goalie with around 3:30 left in the game, looking for two to even this up. Good defensive stick and the puck pops to Joyce, who sends it down the ice and into the empty net with 2:27 to make this a 4-1 game in favor of Hebron. A bit of a scrum along the wall with 55 seconds left causes some pushing and shoving, and penalties are given. After that is sorted, we would wrap things up here with a final score of 4-1 in favor of the hosts, Hebron.
Three Stars
First: Edith Hayes (Hebron)
Second: Isa Fischer (Hebron)
Third: Suki Lalonde (Kents Hill)