BIDDEFORD ”“ Out of position and at times, out of running room.
But never out of options.
Moving to center in the absence of injured linemate Bryan Dallaire, Brady Fleurent shrugged off tight checking by Thornton Academy defenders to pot two goals and set up two others to lead Biddeford to a 6-4 triumph at Biddeford Ice Arena, Saturday, in SMAA hockey action.
Scott Callahan also scored twice, why Taylor Reuillard and Tyson Nadeau added a goal apiece to help Biddeford remain undefeated (11-0-2).
The Trojans are 8-5-0.
Fleurent, the state’s top point getter (22-20-42) struck for both of his goals in the first period to give the Tigers a 2-0 first period lead.
Normally a fixture at right wing, Fleurent was pressed into service in the middle when Dallaire remained hobbled by a leg injury he suffered last week.
The added responsibility, or the added attention from the Trojans, didn’t faze the speedy sophomore in the least.
“I knew it was coming,” Fleurent said. “Especially with Bryan out. I knew I had a target on my back. But I was ready for it. It didn’t bother me.”
Fleurent opened the scoring at 2:59, after he won a face off to the right of Trojans starting goalie Jay Finch.
Fleurent regained the puck from teammate Steven Comar, then threaded a shot into the upper right corner.
“I got it,” said Fleurent, “and I saw high glove. I knew there was some room so I went high and it found it’s way in.”
Fleurent’s second came at 9:10 when he outraced Finch to a loose puck, then steered it around him, after Finch had lunged to make a poke check.
The Trojans, who fell hard to Biddeford, 5-0, in their first meeting on Jan. 5, narrowed the gap to 2-1, when at 5:01 of the second, sailed down right wing, then lifted in his shot past Tigers goalie Jon Fields.
“I think our team has come a good distance,” said Thornton coach Shawn Rousseau, “since that game. Defensively, we’ve been more sound, and we did limit their chances more than we did last time.”
However, at 11:38, Nadeau made it 3-1 by banking a tight angle shot in off the far post.
“Any time it’s a one goal game,” said Callahan, “you need the extra goal. A one goal lead’s very unfortable.”
Indeed, the Trojans fought there way back to within a goal, again, when Sam Canales scored at 3:44 of the third period from just outside the doorstep.
However, Biddeford responded by making it 6-2 with three straight goals, two of them by Callahan, and all of them coming on power plays.
Thornton made matters interesting by addiing two goals late in the game.
Fleurent felt that the win, coming as it did against Biddeford’s fiercest rival, was a great way to propel the Tigers into post-season mode.
“This is the start of playoffs,” said Fleurent. “We wanted to play our best hockey, and we are now. The run is starting now. This is a great time to be playing great hockey.”
Both schools will play again on Wednesday at BIA, with Biddeford set to visit Kennebunk (6 p.m.) following the clash between Thornton and Falmouth (4 p.m.)
— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less