BRUNSWICK — As most Maine high school athletic teams opened practices for its winter sports teams around snowflakes this week, girls hockey squads have been practicing for a couple of weeks now.
After early morning practices and a rather quick preseason, the 2018/19 season opens this weekend with Brunswick, Mt. Ararat/Morse and Yarmouth/Freeport all hitting the ice.
Here’s a look at the area teams:
Brunswick
The Dragons will have their third coach on the bench in the last three years. Mike Routhier, a familiar face to Brunswick hockey, will return to the ice after a few years away.
Routhier coached the boys team for 11 years (2001-2006 and 2008-2014).
Routhier replaces Dave Boucher after Boucher led the Dragons to a 7-12 campaign. The 2017/18 team finished fifth in the North Heal Point Standings and fell to fourth-seeded Winslow/Gardiner, 5-2, in the quarterfinals.
The goal is to get back to the playoffs again this year and Routhier has plenty of returning players to help obtain that.
Senior Beth Labbe returns at the forward position. The four-year starter is expected to provide the bulk of the goals according to Routhier. Shea Sullivan returns to the defense and will provide leadership to the Dragons.
“She is a strong, athletic anchor who leads by example,” Routhier said.
Forwards Elena Palmer and Greta White are both returning with a year of high school hockey under their belts. The sophomores are both expected to add to the offense for Routhier.
“Elena will provide offensive spark, while Greta will help put points on the board as a two-way player,” said Routhier.
Another sophomore, Emily Factor will contribute on defense, as Routhier states she is a “strong skater who plays solid defense and will lead attacks out of our zone.”
The Dragons open their season tonight against York/Traip/Marshwood at 7:45 p.m. at Sidney J. Watson Arena at Bowdoin College. After playing Scarborough (Nov. 30) and Yarmouth/Freeport (Dec. 8) on the road, the Dragons will host Portland/Deering on Dec. 10. Following road trips to St. Dom’s (Dec. 13) and Falmouth (Dec. 15), they will host Winslow/Gardiner (Dec. 18) and Gorham/Bonny Eagle/Massabesic (Dec. 20) before playing “Battle of the Bridge” opponent Mt. Ararat/Morse (Dec. 22).
The Dragons close out a busy December by hosting the Lady Dragon Holiday Tournament on the 26th, with Mt. Ararat/Morse, Gorham/Bonny Eagle/Massabesic and Winslow/Gardiner. Brunswick returns to regular season action against Gorham Dec. 31.
Other key match ups throughout the season — home against Lewiston/Monmouth/Oak Hill (Jan. 8), Mt. Ararat/Morse (Jan. 16) at Bowdoin College, and the regular season finale at home against Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland (Jan. 31).
“We should be a playoff team,” Routhier said. “We are looking to compete each night and outwork our opponents.”
Yarmouth/Freeport
Once again, athletes from Freeport will have the chance to compete in girls hockey with the Yarmouth Clippers. Three Freeport players will be back for the Clippers, and coach Megan Vaughan welcomes their return.
“Along with the leadership and skill that the Freeport players bring to the team, what I look forward to the most as a coach is seeing the team chemistry between all of our players,” Vaughan said. “That will hopefully show in the outcomes of our games this season. We are one team, one family who all love the sport.”
Margaret Perrotta, Paige Rinaldi and Allie Perrotta are all back for another season with the team. Senior Margaret Perrotta brings her “determination and drive that motivates her teammates to improve and work hard every day,” according to Vaughan. “We will be excited to see Margaret continue to grow and lead our program this season. She is always the first player on the ice each day and the last to leave, using every second of ice time to improve her skills.”
Rinaldi is an all-around player who has gained confidence and strength this season. The junior is expected to continue to grow and become a leader.
Allie Perrotta returns as the team’s starting goalie. Vaughan states the sophomore netminder worked hard in the off season and looks forward to seeing some strong goaltending skills between the pipes this year.
Yarmouth/Freeport opens the season Saturday against Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland (6:30 p.m.) at the Norway Savings Bank Arena. Other notable road clashes are against York/Traip/Marshwood (Dec. 15), Lewiston/Monmouth/Oak Hill (Dec. 29), Scarborough (Jan. 12) and Mt. Ararat/Morse (Jan. 25).
After finishing 3-12-3 a year ago, the Clippers will play four of their first six games at Travis Roy Ice Arena in Yarmouth. Key home games this year are against Brunswick (Dec. 8), Mt. Ararat/Morse (Dec. 17), St. Dom’s (Jan. 21) and the regular season’s last scheduled game on Feb. 2 against Winslow/Gardiner.
Vaughan is excited about the Freeport players and what they bring to the growing program.
“Our middle school program is also growing rapidly as we are seeing new families from Freeport and Durham joining the program, allowing us to have two middle school girls teams,” Vaughan said.
Mt. Ararat/Morse
The Eagles are looking forward to building on late season success from a year ago.
After finishing 2-16, the athletes on the Mt. Ararat/Morse hockey team are poised to improve.
Jeremy Saxton will lead the Eagles after co-coaching with Ron Hutchins last year. According to Saxton, many of the players have improved their game to get “faster and stronger.”
“Many players worked hard in the off season,” Saxton said. “There’s some gelling going on that turns good players into very good teammates.”
Much like last season, the team doesn’t rely on any one player, and Saxton and his coaching staff look for all of the athletes to pitch in.
“We have no superstars, so we rely on everyone’s full contribution,” Saxton said. “We are building on our success from last year and continue to improve as a team.”
The Eagles open the season Saturday night at Watson Arena against Gorham/Bonny Eagle/Massabesic (8 p.m.). Other notable home matches feature Winslow/Gardiner (Dec. 1), Biddeford/Thornton/Wells (Dec. 11), York/Traip/Marswood (Dec. 19), Falmouth (Jan. 3) and Yarmouth/Freeport (Jan. 25).
Mt. Ararat/Morse will travel to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston to take on the Blue Devils (Nov. 28) for its first road game. Other road clashes include — Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland (Dec. 5), Greely/Gray-New Gloucester (Dec. 15), St. Dom’s (Jan. 19) and the season’s last game at Winslow/Gardiner (Jan. 31).
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