BIDDEFORD ”“ Teams will often look for a step up performer, one who can turn his club’s fortunes in the right direction at the most critical moment.

That, as it happens, is the perfect description of Thornton Academy senior goaltender Jay Finch.

Finch, who had been sharing the Golden Trojans netminding duties with junior Joe Ferrante, seized the No. 1 job midway through the season and backboned what has been terrific run.

One that has brought the 200 year old institution to within one win of its first ever state hockey championship.

Thornton, which is making its initial state final appearance, will face perennial power Lewiston, tonight (6 p.m.) at the Colisee.

“It would be amazing,” said Finch following the Golden Trojans’ final practice session of the year. “Especially on our school’s 200th year. To bring home the first ever title would be amazing.”

If so, they would have Finch to thank in large part.

Finch, who will head to Fitchburg State in the fall, allowed just one goal during a five game stretch leading up to Tuesday’s 4-3 win over Biddeford in the Western regional final.

In all, Finch, who will head to Fitchburg State in the fall,  twirled a string of 15 consecutive scoreless periods as the Trojans romped past all comers during the last six weeks.

A 7-3 win over Falmouth back on Feb. 9 sent the Trojans on their way.

“Falmouth was the big momentum swing for us,” he said. “That’s when everybody started to believe. Everybody started to come together. It was a battle, but that was probably my favorite game of the year.”

While Thornton coach Shawn Rousseau and his staff applied plenty of tweaks to the club’s systems, the biggest adjustments came from within the dressing room, and dealt with matters from the neck up.

“The talent’s been there all year,” Finch said. “But everybody’s coming together. I don’t think we’ve quite peaked yet.”

While Finch’s recent performance has been a revelation, it’s simply the evidence of a lot of hard work on his part.

Much of that came during last season, when he played back up to senior Rick Hebb, a Travis Roy Award finalist.

“Ricky helped me out a lot,” said Finch. “He showed me everything I need to do to be a contender. He sort of took me under his wing and became like my bigger brother. He showed me how hard you have to work everyday.”

Finch continued his apprenticeship this year under Hebb’s father, Rick Sr., who serves as Thornton’s goaltending coach.

“He’s been working hard all season,” said Hebb, “but where I think his improvement started was when he started working on some different things. Finchie and I spent many hours going over video of his games. He’s come a long way. That in turn has built his confidence. I tell all the goalies that I want them to be confident, right on the line of being cocky.”

Those were lessons that Finch took to heart.

“I was basically focusing on my rebound control.” he said. “Putting everything in the corner. And anything left in front, my boys have been able to help me out with.

“Confidence was another factor. I knew I was going to make the save, then just had to worry about where it was going to go.”

Finch will need all the confidence he can muster to beat back the high-powered Lewiston attack.

However, given his recent track record, that confidence is well founded.

“We’ve come a long way,” said Finch. “We’re feeling confident. Everyone is sort of accepting their role. Keying into the spot where they need to be. I’m feeling ready for Lewiston.”