BIDDEFORD — The seasoned Biddeford line up is a tough one to crack, which means that for the likes of junior Sam Green, ice time can be a fleeting thing.
Even so, Green puts in the practice time, and keeps himself ready during games.
Just in case.
Good thing he does.
Wednesday, Green got in one shift, late in the first period, and came away with his first career goal, highlighting the Tigers’ 5-1 win over Portland, Wednesday, at Biddeford Ice Arena.
Trevor Fleurent scored three goals, upping his team leading total to 24, while Craig Anton added his 10th.
Even senior goalie Matt Roy got into the scoring act, notching his first career assist, while playing a strong game in net.
“It wasn’t the prettiest win,” said Tigers’ coach Rich Reissfelder. “But we’ll take it.”
Fleurent gave Biddeford the lead at 5:35 of the first period, when Roy hit him with an open ice pass that allowed Fleurent to jet in alone of freshman Bulldog goalie Jon Gatti.
Roy preserved the lead, slim as it was at the time, when he picked off
Bronson Guimond’s wrister, which was labeled for the top right corner.
Fleurent, Anton, and Fleurent again all scored to make it 4-0, with the final two goals coming in the final 19 seconds of the period. Scott Briggs sneaked in a second period power play goal to make it 4-1, but in the third, Reissfelder loosened the ropes on his bench to spread the ice time around more liberally.
Having spent the entire game on alert, Green finally hit the ice with under three minutes left in the game.
“I got a shift,” said Green. “I just went out as hard as I could. It ended up working out for me.”
It did when Fleurent, working down low, spotted Green lurking in the slot and hit him with a pin point pass.
“Trevor put it on my stick in front of the net,” said Green. “I had time to put it where I wanted it, and I put it inside the post. I don’t usually have that much time.
“I think anyone can play good with Trevor.”
Biddeford will host St. Dom’s, Saturday.
— Contact Staff Writer Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.
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