The Brunswick High School girls hockey team had faced some stiff competition in its first two games.
After losses to Yarmouth/Freeport (7-1) and Lewiston (4-0), the Dragons entertained a Winslow team with the same 0-2 mark and in the middle of a large youth movement, similar to Brunswick.
“We have a lot of young players and they are learning every day,” said Bodwell, whose squad returns to action on Wednesday at defending girls hockey champion Greely. “We had a tough game last night against Lewiston, and Winslow is at the same level as us, and I thought the girls played really hard.”
Many of the players for Bodwell are new, along with his coaching staff. Miscommunication resulted in two, too many men on the ice infractions, including one in the game’s final minute when the
Still, the Dragons nearly pulled even when Tessa Cassidy’s shot just slipped wide of the net as the horn sounded, allowing the Black Raiders to leave with a 1-2 record.
Winslow leads
Winslow pinned the Dragons in their defensive zone throughout the first period, outshooting Brunswick, 8-3. And, the Black Raiders netted the period’s only goal as Brennah O’Connell tipped a pass from defenseman Hillary Libby past Mendes for a 1-0 lead.
Both teams had their chances to score in the second period, with Winslow goaltender Jessica Cain (16 saves) turning aside Cassidy and Grace Rabinowitz on back-toback bang-bang plays. On the other end, Mendes robbed Paige Vellieux on a breakaway and stopped Libby’s hard wrister from the slot.
Winslow grabbed a 2-0 lead with 1:18 remaining in the middle frame as Vellieux flipped the puck over the glove of Mendes, with Amanda Hooper picking up an assist.
Brunswick answered just 15 seconds later as Emily Yuodsnukis slipped a loose puck between the pads of Cain and across the goal line to get the Dragons to 2-1. Rabinowitz and Adele Wise each earned an assist.
“We were telling the girls that we need to score dirty, garbage goals, and that was a good model for us to follow in the rest of the game,” said Bodwell. “I was so proud of them, and tonight we had two pretty even teams, with even shots, and they were able to get the bounces in this one. We play them in a couple weeks (Dec. 11) and we will see what happens then.”
Brunswick certainly had its chances in the third period, especially Cassidy, who was stopped four times by Cain, who also made a right pad save on Ashley Hartford with 4:35 remaining to keep the Black Raiders in the lead.
Winslow held a 21-17 shots advantage. The Black Raiders failed to score on three power-play opportunities, while Brunswick was scoreless on two man-up chances.
Defensively, Rabinowitz, Mary Sasso and Caitlyn Olson were solid, while Winslow’s Libby, Jordyn Dorval and Vellieux did a nice job slowing the Brunswick forwards.
Friday home opener
Mikaela Brown scored two goals Friday night, leading the Lewiston girls to its second win in as many games to start the season, 4-0 over the Dragons at Watson Arena.
Brown scored on an assist from Emily Turner in the first period for the Blue Devils.
Erin Hubbard made it 2-0 with help from Makaela Field. Hubbard then set up Brown’s second goal for a 3-0 lead with 5:02 remaining in the period.
Mikaela St. Luarent closed out the scoring, with Faith Ide picking up an assist.
Paige Fontaine made seven saves for the Devils, who forced Mendes to stop 36 shots.
Winslow 2,
Brunswick 1
Saturday, at Sidney J. Watson Arena
Winslow— 110—2
Brunswick — 0 1 0— 1
First period: 1. (W) Brennah O’Connell
(Hillary Libby), 7:17. Penalties: None.
Second period: 2. (W) Paige Vellieux
(Amanda Hooper), 13:42; 3. (B) Emily
Yuodsnukis (Grace Rabinowitz, Adele
Wise), 13:57. Penalties: (B) Bench, too
many men, served by Emily Yuodsnukis,
2:18; (W) Brooke Roy, hooking, 10:53.
Third period: No scoring. Penalties: (B)
Grace Rabinowitz, tripping, 3:14; (W) Victoria Stevens, high sticking, 6:57; (B)
Bench, too many men, served by Jordan
Van Savage, 13:54.
Shots on goal — (W) 8-7-6-21; (B) 3-7-7-
17.
Saves — (W) Jessica Cain 16; (B) Claire
Mendes 19.
Power play — Winslow 0-3; Brunswick 0-
2.
Records — Winslow 1-2, Brunswick 0-3.
Up next for Brunswick — Wednesday at
Falmouth Family Ice Center against Greely,
8 p.m.
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