Top-seeded Thornton Academy will have to beat No. 2 Falmouth for the first time this season tonight to get the chance to defend its Class A boys’ hockey state title.

The Trojans and Yachtsmen face off in the Western Class A championship game at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, with the winner advancing to Saturday night’s state final.

The Trojans have only two blemishes on their record – a loss and a tie – and Falmouth put them there.

“They pose unique challenges,” Thornton Academy Coach Jamie Gagnon said of the Yachtsmen. “They have three lines that can play. They have top-end goal scoring, good defense. They play well on special teams, and they’ve had tremendous goaltending throughout the year.”

Thornton held leads in both games against Falmouth. On Dec. 22, the Yachtsmen scored five goals in the final eight minutes to earn a 5-3 win at Family Ice Center in Falmouth. In the rematch on Jan. 21, Falmouth scored a goal late in the third period to forge a 3-3 tie at Biddeford Ice Arena.

No other opponent has scored more than two goals against the Trojans.

“One of the things we know about (Falmouth) is that they can score in bunches,” Gagnon said. “They can score quickly. If the ice tilts and you can’t stop the bleeding, they can pour it on in a hurry.”

Falmouth Coach Deron Barton expects his squad to follow the same game plan it used against Thornton during the regular season.

“We match up well against them, and I think the style of hockey they play is similar to the style we play, a very cerebral game,” he said. “I’ve seen them play a couple of times, and I don’t think we change much.”

The Trojans have outscored Gorham and Marshwood by a combined 15-1 margin in their first two playoff games.

Falmouth skated to a 10-1 win against Kennebunk in the quarterfinals before pulling out a 5-3 win against No. 3 Scarborough in the semifinals.

“I think it’s going to take a full-phased effort on our part to be successful,” Gagnon said. “Certainly, it’s going to take 45 minutes of executing, effort and willingness to do the little things, coming back, back checking, blocking shots.”

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at: pbetit@pressherald.com

Twitter: PaulBetitPPH