DOVER, N.H. — It took 12 years for the Marshwood/Traip Academy hockey team to make the playoffs. Tuesday night the Hawks made it a night to remember.

Using two equally effective and fast-paced lines that consistently created turnovers and goal-scoring chances, third-seeded Marshwood/Traip Academy won the first hockey playoff game it played.

The Hawks beat sixth-ranked Cheverus 6-2 in a Western Class A quarterfinal at the Dover Ice Arena.

“It feels great, especially against Cheverus. They’re a great opponent,” said Aaron Goatee, one of the two players from Traip Academy. “This is the first time Marshwood has ever been here, so it’s great to help put this one in the books.”

After a scoreless first period Marshwood/Traip dominated (14-5 shot advantage), Goatee got a puck past Cheverus goalie Max Boucher.

While Goatee’s goal came just 28 seconds into the period, Boucher already had four saves, including a chest/right toe/between the pads ensemble, in the period.

“We definitely needed some momentum going our way. That goal definitely helped us out,” Goatee said.

Goatee finished with two goals and an assist. His linemates also contributed. Freshman Peter Lajeunesse, a physical presence at left wing, had a goal and two assists, and hard-skating right wing Andrew Rollins had two assists and set up numerous other chances.

Marshwood’s second line also had three goals, with Corey Wright getting two, Sam Richardson one with an assist, and Ryan Tobey gettingtwo assists.

Freshman goalie Tyler Gagnon was consistent throughout, stopping 18 shots and not allowing Cheverus on the board until after the Hawks built a 3-0 lead.

Marshwood/Traip skates just two lines and three defensemen, a strategy it’s used all season while running up a 17-2 record.

That short bench is sure to be tested Saturday in the semifinal against Thornton Academy (14-5) at Lewiston.

But against Cheverus, Marshwood/Traip’s limited roster was actually an advantage.

The Stags were beset with the flu bug, with four players out of action due to illness, a pair playing through flu symptoms and a key defenseman absent due to injury.

In other words, they also were playing with a short bench.

“That played to our favor because we’ve played this way for awhile now,” Marshwood Coach Eric Royal said.

“Toward the end of the first period I thought I had noticed that some of their guys were looking a little winded so we came in (to the locker room) and said, ‘keep going, keep putting the pressure on them and you’re going to get chances.’ “

“We were basically mixing and matching. We knew they were going to go with two lines,” Cheverus Coach Dan Lucas said. “The bottom line is they had guys who could score goals. We had a chance to get back into it in the second period. Their goal scorers scored. That’s the difference.”

Goals from Lajeunesse and Goatee gave Marshwood/Traip a 3-0 lead.

Gagnon then turned away three good chances before Nic Lops of Cheverus was able to glance a shot off and over Gagnon’s shoulder at 12:44 of the second period.

Any Cheverus momentum was short-lived when Wright scored from Tobey at 13:52, just seconds after an apparent Marshwood/Traip goal had been disallowed because it came after a quick whistle.

Wright’s second goal pushed the Marshwood/Traip lead to 5-1 early in the third period. Goals from Liam Fitzpatrick of Cheverus and Richardson closed out the scoring.

“I know with these guys if they keep putting shots on the net and doing what they’re supposed to be doing, they’re going to get goals,” Royal said.