OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Old Orchard Beach High School might not have its own hockey teams, but that doesn’t mean some Seagulls aren’t making noise on the ice this winter.
A pair of OOB student-athletes are playing an important role for two local hockey clubs. Freshman Gavin Sperlich is the starting goalie for the Massabesic/OOB/Bonny Eagle boys team, while sophomore Trinity Atwater is protecting the net for the Cheverus/Kennebunk/OOB girls squad.
Both goalies had to get used to their new teams this season as Sperlich is in his first year of high school hockey and Atwater transferred to OOB from Thornton Academy this year.
“I think the captain Kurtis Morin did a good job (bringing everyone together),” said Sperlich, who plays on the team alongside OOB sophomores Monty Leclerc and Joe Atwater. “One of the sophomores knew some of the kids, so he kind of helped introduce me and we just kind of got along from there. We practiced every, single day so we saw each other a lot and we had a group chat.”
“It was kind of hard because most of the girls already played together and the other goalie had been playing with them,” added Atwater.
Atwater, who played for the combined Biddeford/Thornton/Wells club last year, believes the Cheverus/Kennebunk/OOB team has formed a strong bond.
“I actually really enjoy it because last year all we did was fight and this year there’s no drama. We’re all just working really well together,” said Atwater, who is joined on the team by OOB freshman Emily Tucker.
That connection helped the Stags go 15-2-1 in the regular season and advance to Thursday night’s regional championship game against Scarborough.
“I want to win a championship and I want to win it for everyone on the team,” said Atwater, who stopped an impressive 23 shots in a 1-0 double-overtime win in the regional semifinals on Saturday.
Sperlich’s play in goal has helped MOB start the year with an 8-6 record, but the Mustangs are currently one spot out of the Class A playoffs with four regular season games remaining.
“We’re already having a better season than they’ve ever had. (We’re just hoping) to make playoffs and see how far we can go and finish the season off strong,” said Sperlich.
The freshman believes the time he spent playing overseas has helped prepare him for high school hockey.
“The competition is a lot different and the style of play is different,” said Sperlich, who played in tournaments in Italy and Switzerland in recent years.
Sperlich has had fun representing OOB on the combined squad this season.
“It’s nice because I’ve had a pretty good season and kind of got my name out there. A bunch of the kids from our school go to my games,” said Sperlich.
The freshman goalie is looking to get better each time he steps on the ice and help the MOB club make some noise over the next few years.
“Just keep improving every year and help the team go further and further,” said Sperlich.
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 780-9017. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.