BIDDEFORD ”“ Waterville, Biddeford. Two teams, one championship.

It might sound faintly reminiscent of the 1994 Maine State Class A football championship, but in fact it’s the high school hockey matchup of the year.

The two schools, who between them have captured the last three state titles, will collide Saturday (6 p.m.) in Lewiston at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee, with the Class A title on the line.

“They’re (trying) to repeat,” said Biddeford coach Rich Reissfelder. “We just did that two years ago. That adds a little intrigue. It should be an interesting game.”

Adding to the mystery is the factor of the unknown. The teams didn’t meet during the season, although they did face several common opponents.

Waterville (13-6-1) was 5-5-0 in those games while Biddeford (17-2-1) was 9-2-1 against the same foes.

What inside information the teams have gleaned about each other has been acquired second hand.

“They ‘re (the Tigers)  a very strong team said Waterville coach Dennis Martin. “They can score goals, and they’re solid in their own end. They’re a very good hockey team. We’ve got to come ready to play.”

If that sounds similar to Reissfelder’s take on the Purple Panthers, it’s not by accident.

“They’re obviously talented,” Reissfelder said. “The defending champs. They have a great coach who really gets his kids fired up. They block a ton of shots, and work hard in their zone, and they have a good strong

goalie (senior Ryan Cormier).”

Waterville depends heavily upon its top line for the bulk of its scoring.

Seniors Nick Deblois (15-11-26) and Josh Gaudette (11-15-26, and junior Kyle Bishop (14-7-21) all topped the double digit plateau in goal scoring during the regular season.

“There are big, physical guys out there, with good speed,” said Reissfelder. “Gaudette and Bishop are really quick and good with the puck.”

The Panthers’ season resembled a roller coaster ride, which began with five straight wins, and seven in their first eight.

That was followed by a tough, 1-3-1 stretch, as their youth (they graduated six seniors from last year’s championship club) began to catch up to them.

However, they roll into the title game on a 9-2 roll, and have shown themselves to be an especially lethal third period team, of late.

In the Eastern semifinal against Bangor, Waterville scored five times in the third to snap what had been a 2-2 tie.

That was followed by a three goal third period outburst against St. Dom’s in the Eastern final, as the Panthers erased a pair of one-goal deficits.

“Our scoring picked up,” said Martin, “and our guys will do whatever it takes to win games. They play hard. In the third period, the guys seem to have a little extra in their step. They refuse to lose.”

It would hardly be a surprise if the title is decided in the final minutes, and if so, it would be reminiscent of that epic football battle staged 16 years ago.

It ended with a Biddeford win on a last minute punt return.

“It’s going to be great,” said Martin. “Both teams are going to come with their ‘A’ game. It’s the state

championship. You’re not going to leave anything at home.”

EMPTY NETTERS: The campaign isn’t completely over, but teams are already beginning to hand out their post-season awards. Massabesic, which enjoyed its first winning season in six years, held its annual

awards banquet,  Thursday. Players honored included Tyler Albert (the state’s leading goal scorer) as  the Mustangs’ Most Valuable Player.

Sophomore Greg Lodge was given the Coaches Award (for effort above and beyond the call of duty), junior defenseman Alec Parent was honored as Most Improved Player, and junior goalie Alex Madruga was given the

Laurin Brooks Award for dedication to the team.

— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.