KENNEBUNK – No player was more valuable to her hockey team this season than Cheverus/Kennebunk/Old Orchard Beach’s Abby Lamontagne.
The junior scored both Stags goals in a 2-1 upset win over undefeated Lewiston at the state finals in February. For her efforts all throughout the season, the Journal Tribune has named Lamontagne as the girls hockey MVP.
“It means a lot, but I’m also really happy that my team was able to get to where we were because I feel like I definitely would not be where I am without my team,” said Lamontagne. “They all supported me. I couldn’t score all the goals without all the assists, all the passes and every little play that leads up to it.”
Lamontagne served as the Stags main offensive threat all year, scoring 68 points (42 goals and 26 assists) to bring her career point total to 180.
The two goals she scored in the title game were validation of all the work she’s accomplished in practice, the Kennebunk student said – even if it meant abandoning an old habit at her coach’s recommendation.
“(Coach) Scott Rousseau hated this specific shot that I used to do,” said Lamontagne. “It was a weak, little wrist shot on net that has never worked in three years. He gave me a couple options aside from doing that.”
One move Lamontagne incorporated into her arsenal – an outside side in through the stick shot – helped her score the first goal against Lewiston. The second was courtesy of a shot she’s worked on for years
“Those two goals meant a lot to me because it just showed me that my hard work paid off,” she said. “We were all coming off the (3-1 loss to Greely/Gray-New Gloucester in the 2018 state title game) from last year. We knew how awful that felt.”
The Stags made it their goal to make a second consecutive championship game appearance, and the team stayed positive during close playoff games against Cape Elizabeth/Waynflete/South Portland and Scarborough to return to the finals.
This year’s state title was extra special for Lamontagne, because it was her last game playing for Cheverus/Kennebunk/OOB. Next year, she takes her talents to Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.
She’ll look back fondly on the memories she’s made with her teammates, and she’ll always cherish going out a winner.
“Winning was something very important to all of us,” Lamontagne said. “I’m glad that we were able to get it all done.”
— Sports Writer Sienna Barstow can be reached at sbarstow@journaltribune.com or at 780-9018. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
