DOVER, N.H. — When schools are sorted into classes by the MPA, it’s not a statement on ability. Just population.

So when Class B York gave Class A hockey power Biddeford all it could handle, Monday, before Biddeford finally prevailed 4-2, it didn’t come as a surprise.

In fact, it was very much expected.

As it was, the Tigers flexed their muscle at an opportune time, popping in three third period goals, then holding on against a late comeback bid staged by the former Western Conference Class B champs at Dover Ice Arena.

“I would put them up with the best teams we’ve played this year,” said Biddeford coach Rich Reissfelder, whose squad improved to 5-0. “Absolutely. They were running three lines all night. They made it tough for us to put it in the net.”

What York could not do was match the Tigers’ top troika of the Brothers Fleurent (Trevor and Brady) and Craig Anton.

Each scored one goal, and lent a hand on another.

“They play so well without the puck,” said Reissfelder, “that it makes it so much easier for the guy with the puck. They’re constantly getting themselves open and finding the open ice. More open than not, we bury those pucks.”

Biddeford nursed a slim 1-0 lead, scored on Brady Fleurent’s first period goal for better than two stanzas before wedging out some elbow room for itself in the third.

Fleurent’s tally came at 4:18, after some ferocious fore checking by Anton created a Wildcat turnover inside the York blue line.

“I saw (the defender) anticipating going up the boards,” said Anton, “and tried intercepting the pass. I heard Brady call my name and I gave it to him.”

Fleurent swiveled in on York goalie Alex Ahrikenchikh, got him to commit, then flipped a backhander into the top left corner.

“It was a great move,” said Anton.

Biddeford limited the Wildcats chances through the second period, although Tigers goalie Matt Roy did have to fend off York’s Paddy Murphy on three occasions.

“We started a little slow,” said Anton, “but we kept going hard. Then we started getting some bounces. We just couldn’t finish them until the third period.”

The Tigers, who outshot York 20-5 in the final frame, erupted for two goals in a 41 second span.

The first of those was netted by Anton, who buried a feed from Trevor Fleurent at 1:02 of the third.

Moments later Derek Reny jumped on Tyson Nadeau’s rebound to make it 3-0.

Trevor Fleurent gave Biddeford a four goal lead at 6:17 before Anthony Figlioli scored twice in the final 5 minutes to cut the margin to two goals.

The Tigers will wrap up their pre-Christmas schedule, Wednesday, with a tilt against Kennebunk at Biddeford Ice Arena.

— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.