Bangor topples Broncs> Rams go to 2-0

BANGOR – The Bangor Rams knew they couldn’t afford an emotional letdown after Saturday’s road win over three-time defending Class B state champ Winslow.

Bangor continued its early season surge Tuesday night at Sawyer Arena, scoring two goals in the first four minutes, 10 seconds on their way to a 5-1 victory over Hampden Academy.

Sparked by the first line of center David Lisnik and wingers Dan Hackney and Bobby Leavitt, coach Bill Schwarz’s Rams kept the pressure on the Broncos with an attacking forechecking scheme that led to numerous scoring chances.

“We try to use an aggressiveforechecking system,” Schwarz said. “It gets a little tiring with two lines, but we spot them with the third line. It worked tonight.”

That line accounted for two goals and four assists, while the Bangor defense also was involved in the offensive output. Sophomore defenseman Tyson Schroeder scored a pair of goals and Jon Kotredes added an assist.

“We’ve got some great point men with great shots: Craig Franck, Tyson Schroeder,” Schwarz said. “We like to have our defense jump up and play offense as much as they can.”

The Rams set the tone early as Lisnik broke through two HA defenders, and got off a low shot that was saved by Brian Cataldo. Leavitt was there to flip home the rebound with only 49 seconds gone.

Bangor made it 2-0 on the power play three minutes later when Lisnik rifled a slap shot from the top of the right circle that beat Cataldo high to the short side.

“We were coming off a big win against Winslow and our emotions were real high,” Lisnik said. “We really wanted to put it right to [Hampden], come out flying. We scored early and went from there.”

The 1-1 Broncos trimmed the deficit to 2-1 with 6:07 gone in the period. Sean Tardif’s initial shot was blocked by Beaulieu, but Matt Caldwell was there to lift the rebound over the fallen goaltender.

Bangor pushed the lead to 3-1 with another power-play goal in the final minute of the period. Schroeder snapped a shot from the top of the right circle that deflected off the skate of a Bronco player and trickled past Cataldo with 33.4 seconds to play.

“They come at you hard. They have three lines,” said Hampden coach Bob Morin, who is Schwarz’s brother-in-law. “Our kids played well, but they kind of ran out of gas.”

Bangor, which outshot HA 11-10 in the opening period, had a 14-1 advantage in the second period. However, Cataldo altertly came up with numerous tough saves among his 25 on the night to keep the Rams from blowing it open.

Schroeder scored 24 seconds into the second period when his slapshot from the left point found the upper corner of the net to Cataldo’s left. The Rams added an insurance goal when Justin Libbey set up Mike Deveau in front with 5:48 left.

The Deveau-Stuart Cooper-Libbey line also swarmed consistently around the HA end.

Bangor played strong defense in front of Beaulieu, who finished with 15 saves. Schroeder and Franck were tenacious, while Jon Kotredes and Brent Hawkes also helped the Rams neutralize the speed and craftiness of Bronco brothers Scott and Sean Tardif.

Rams 5, Broncos 1

Bangor (2-0) 3 2 0 – 5 Hampden (1-1) 1 0 0 – 1

First period – 1. Bang, Leavitt (Lisnik) :49; 2. Bang, Lisnik (Kotredes) 4:10 (pp); 3. HA, Caldwell (Peet, Se. Tardif) 6:07; 4. Bang, Schroeder (Lisnik, Hackney) 14:27 (pp); Penalties: HA, Shute, cross-checking, 3:59; HA, Caldwell, slashing, 12:35

Second period – 5. Bang, Schroeder (Leavitt) :24; 6. Bang, Deveau (Libbey), 9:12; Penalties: Bang, Franck, hitting after whistle, 10:16; HA, Moser, cross- Third period – No scoring; Penalties: Bang, Hale, boarding, 7:32; Bang, Cooper, roughing, 12:42; Bang, Lisnik, slashing, 14:42

Shots on goal: Bangor 11-14-5-30; Hampden 10-1-5-16

Power-play opportunities: Bangor, 2 of 3; Hampden 0 of 3

Goaltenders: Bangor, Beaulieu (15 shots, 14 saves); Hampden, Cataldo (25 shots, 20 saves)

Attendance: 150 (est.)