Brunswick hockey players surround Zach Stern-Hayes after he scored against Cheverus/Yarmouth during a Dec. 21, 2022 game in Brunswick. Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald
BRUNSWICK — The Brunswick boys hockey team will finally return to the ice for a regional semifinal game after it enjoyed a bye through the quarterfinal round.
The top-seeded Dragons (15-1-2) will play No. 4 York (11-7-1) in a Class B South semifinal game at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Bowdoin College’s Watson Arena.
York beat No. 5 Leavitt/Gray-NG/Oak Hill/Poland, 4-1 on Wednesday in the quarterfinals.
The Dragons defeated the Wildcats twice this season, 5-4 and 3-1. The latter came in the regular season finale on Feb. 20 — the last time Brunswick played a game.
“We’ve had a long stretch without playing, but our guys have been working hard and are ready,” head coach Mike Misner said. “York has come on late in the season and I expect them to give their best. We just need to take care of business.”
Brunswick’s Jacob Colaluca shoots and scores against Cheverus/Yarmouth during a Dec. 21, 2022 game in Brunswick. Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald
The layoff shouldn’t be problem for the Dragons, Misner said.
Although the Dragons were unable to schedule a scrimmage since they’ve last played, Misner said his team has some productive early morning practices.
Furthermore, the team is loaded with postseason experience, with several returning players from a team that won the Class B title last season.
After a 10-0-1 start, which included a 2-1 overtime victory over Class A Thornton Academy in January, the Dragons had a few proverbial bumps in the road. Battling through illnesses, Brunswick got blanked by Cape Elizabeth and then tied Cheverus/Yarmouth for a second time.
After that, Brunswick won five straight to close out the season, outscoring opponents, 23-11.
Cheverus/Yarmouth’s Jaden Morin and Brunswick’s Jacob Colacula battle for the puck during a Dec. 21, 2022 game in Brunswick. Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald
“We’ve had a mission all year to get back to the postseason,” Misner said.
The success earned Brunswick the No. 1 seed; along with No. 2 Cape Elizabeth, the Dragons received a bye into the semifinals.
AJ Wolverton leads the Dragons with 21 goals and 18 assists, while Nick Marro has 20 goals and 13 assists. Zach Stern-Hayes (12 goals, 16 assists) also has double-digit scoring totals. Jacob Colaluca and Max Stadnicki each have scored five goals, while Avery Tatham and Kennedy Eddy each have four goals. Garret Countway (3 goals, 7 assists) and Brady LaForge (2 goals, 7 assists) have also contributed.
In net, senior Luke Patterson has a 1.65 goals against average, stopping 423 of 453 shots he has faced, playing in all but 39 of the team’s 859 minutes in 18 games.
Cape Elizabeth hosts Cheverus/Yarmouth on Friday in the other regional semifinal. The two winners will play at Portland’s Cross Insurance Arena on Tuesday for a spot in the state championship game March 11 in Portland.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
