The Thornton Academy hockey program has taken significant incremental steps in the three years that Scott Rousseau has been at the helm.

A playoff appearance in Year One. Its first ever Western Maine Class A championship appearance in Year Two. Now its first ever state championship berth, which will come Saturday against perennial power Lewiston, in the Blue Devils’ own barn, the Colisee, no less.

Adding to the fun is the fact that Rousseau himself is a former Blue Devil, and played on two of the school’s 20 state championship teams (1992-93).

Don’t think for a moment, however, that the Golden Trojans are just (as the cliché goes) “happy to be here”.

Junior winger Andrew Carignan, whose two-goal effort against Biddeford helped propel the Trojans to the state game, promises a maximum effort from his team.

“We’ll be there,” he said. “We’ve just got to go harder, take more pucks to the net, and score.”

Sometimes the best blueprints are the simplest ones.

Despite loss, Biddeford’s season was stellar

For Biddeford, Tuesday’s loss in the Western Maine final meant an abrupt end to what was a stellar ”“ and until then, an undefeated ”“ season.

It also ended the Tigers’ rein as the state’s Class A champions.

Despite the disappointment, Biddeford coach Rich Reissfelder said that there were plenty of reasons to be satisfied.

Especially after being in the uncustomary predicament of playing catchup after Thornton grabbed a first period lead.

“That’s what makes me most proud of them,” he said. “It would have been easy to give up after the first (period). They were all over us in the first. The boys just wouldn’t give up. We kept falling behind and clawing back.”

The Tigers fashioned a 15-0-3 regular season mark, making them the third undefeated Class A team in recent history (the 2008 Biddeford squad that went 24-0 is another).

“It was a great season,” said Reissfelder, who completed his third year as Biddeford bench boss. “At the beginning of the year, people had us maybe top four, top five. We beat everybody that we played at least once. Saw some great development from guys like James Jamieson, Taylor Reuillard, Stephen Comar, and even some of the veterans like Scottie Callahan. He made a huge jump for what he was last year.

“Over the course of the season, there were so many positives, it’s hard to be upset.”

Tickets for title game on sale now

The demand for tickets for Saturday’s championship game will likely be as high as the supply will be low.

Particularly since Lewiston will be playing in its home rink, the Colisee, and that Tuesday’s Eastern region championship game with cross-town rival St. Dom’s was played before a full house of more than 3,000.

Those wishing to purchase tickets in advance can do so through Thornton Academy, today and Friday, according to school athletic director Gary Stevens.

Tickets will be available at the school’s Dining Commons both days during all lunch periods.

In addition, tickets will also be on sale at the school’s Athletic Office, located inside Linnell Gymnasium, from 12:45-2 p.m.

Fans will also be able to purchase tickets on Saturday at the Colisee box office, while the supply lasts.

Prices, which are set by the Maine Prinicipal’s Association, are $7 for adults, and $4 for students.

According to Stevens, Thornton Academy faculty passes and ice hockey passes will not be honored.

High School All-Star game around the corner

After Saturday, one more high school game will remain on the high school hockey calendar, namely the annual East-West Senior Game, which will be played March 26 at Family Ice Center in Falmouth (puck drop set for 6:10 p.m.).

Several local icers have been selected for the Western squad, including Sam Canales, Jon Pate, Ryan Locke, Jay Finch, and Dakota Matthews (all of Thornton), Scott Callahan, Tyler Audie, and Nick Gagne (all of Biddeford), D.J. Robinson (Kennebunk), and Kyle Maclay.

The West team will be coached by South Portland’s Joe Robinson, a Biddeford resident. The East will be led by Lewiston’s Jamie Belleau.

Travis Roy Award finalists to be announced on Sunday

The list of four finalists for the Travis Roy Award is scheduled to be announced on Sunday.

Canales, Pate, and Gagne, were all earlier named among the eight semifinalists.

The TRA, which is given annually to Maine’s top senior high school hockey player, will be handed out March 27 at the Coach’s Awards Banquet in Lewiston.