FALMOUTH — Tuesday night’s boys’ hockey game between Scarborough and Falmouth played out quite differently from their last matchup, in last season’s Class A South championship.
In both games, Scarborough scored in the second period for a 1-0 lead heading into the final period. But this time, the Red Storm couldn’t hold on as they did for the regional title, and the two powerhouse squads battled to a 3-3 tie at the Family Ice Center.
The Yachtsmen scored three goals in three minutes in the third period to rally from a two-goal deficit. But Cam Smith, who scored the only goal in the regional final, again came through for the Red Storm, scoring on a power play with 41 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
“They just made it a lot easier by taking that penalty,” Scarborough Coach Norm Gagne said. “For any team to take advantage of the other team’s mistakes in a crucial situation like that – especially under adversity of being behind – that was a big goal.”
However, for most of the game, it was Falmouth fighting from behind. Scarborough’s Skylar Pettingill scored the first goal in the second period, and Anthony Burnham added another early in the third. But Robbie Armitage sparked the Yachtsmen with two unassisted goals, and Parker Wyatt added another to give Falmouth the lead.
“The good, the bad, the ugly – it was all out there tonight,” Falmouth Coach Deron Barton said. “We’re a young team. We were able to come back … and that’s character-building.”
Falmouth goalkeeper Spencer Pierce made 27 saves while Brandon Wasser had 23 for Scarborough.
With 8:24 left in the second period, Pettingill put the Red Storm ahead with a short-handed goal assisted by Brett Rockey and Mason Parks. Rockey’s shot bounced off Pierce to Pettingill, who placed it in the back of the net.
With 12:17 left in the third period, Burnham arced in a shot on a power play, with an assist by Soty Giftos.
“We were probably the flattest we’ve ever been as a team since I’ve been at Falmouth,” Barton said. “I don’t think two days off helped us. We had some issues with tempo – all the things as a coach you absolutely fear unfolded out there.”
Down 2-0 with 10:46 left, Armitage scored his first goal on a power play – then added another a minute and a half later to tie the score.
“I think we came out really slow, but that kind of shows how much heart we have,” Armitage said. “That was probably a C-plus game of ours. Even when we’re not playing well, we still find a way to win. Or tie, I guess.”
Parker Wyatt gave Falmouth its first lead with 7:43 left a shot that sailed in between Wasser’s legs, before Smith capitalized on a power play before time expired in the third period.
The 1-0-1 Yachtsmen were coming off a 4-3 win over Biddeford – where they also overcame a two-goal deficit – while the Red Storm were opening their season. The teams meet again on Feb. 1.
“Win, lose or draw – having these kids come out and have that rivalry,” Barton said, “that’s what high school hockey is all about.”
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