L & L line sparking Bangor Quarterfinal action gets under way Tuesday

loading...

Bangor High School hockey coach Bill Schwarz calls senior right wing Bobby Leavitt “the heart and soul of our team.” And he refers to senior center Justin Libbey as “our go-to guy.”

They just so happen to be linemates and they have helped lead the Rams to a school-record 14 regular season wins entering Tuesday 7 p.m. Eastern Maine Class A playoff quarterfinal against Lawrence High of Fairfield at Sawyer Arena. Bangor is the third seed while Lawrence is 11th.

Libbey needs two goals to reach the 100-goal plateau for his career. He has 27 goals and 20 assists for the 14-6 Rams, winners of seven of their last eight. Leavitt has 22 goals and 19 assists. Freshman Kevin Cobb (3 & 13) is the third member of the line.

Libbey and Leavitt admitted that they have been surprised by the team’s success.

“I thought we might win 10 games,” said Libbey.

So what has made it possible?

“Hard work is a big part of it,” said Leavitt. “And our underclassmen have really stepped up for us.”

Libbey added that “our defense” has been an integral key to the success.

“People have underestimated how strong our defense is,” agreed Schwarz.

Leavitt and Libbey have been the catalysts with their contrasting styles.

Leavitt is more of an all-around player while Libbey is more instant offense.

Leavitt is a tenacious grinding winger who finishes his checks and also has a good scoring touch around the net. He played part of the season with a separated shoulder. Libbey is a finesse player with exceptional balance who can bury the puck.

Leavitt is the quiet, unsung type. Libbey receives a lot more recognition.

“I don’t care. Justin works hard and deserves all the stuff [recognition] he gets,” said Leavitt. “I’m happy for him when he scores and he’s happy for me when I score.”

Libbey said Leavitt has been an inspiration to the team through his work ethic and ability to play through his shoulder injury.

“He’s a tough kid. His courage and leadership have been very important,” said Libbey.

They said the fact they have been linemates for two years has been beneficial.

“The more you play on a line with someone, the better you get to know them [and their tendencies],” said Libbey.

Leavitt added, “It makes things a lot easier.”

Libbey, who will attend Bowdoin College this fall and plans to play football, said his 27 goals have been hard to come by this season

“It has been my toughest season because a lot more teams are shadowing me,” said Libbey.

However, the Rams have been bolstered by the production from the second line of Kyle Baker [7 goals, 7 assists), John Huhn (7 & 9) and Ben Payson (3 & 5).

In addition, defenseman Billy Baker, seldom used before this season, has flourished with eight goals and 10 assists. Tyson Schroder (3 & 12) and Craig Franck (3 & 8) have had impressive senior seasons.

And Schwarz pointed out that senior goalie Justin Climo has been rock solid of late. He has a 3.30 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage.

The other Tuesday night Eastern A matchups involve No. 10 Skowhegan visiting No. 3 Edward Little of Auburn and No. 5 Lewiston traveling to play No. 4 Mount Ararat of Topsham. On Wednesday, No. 8 Cony of Augusta will face off against No. 1 Waterville.

Eastern B quarterfinals will also be held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday’s game sends No. 11 Stearns of Millinocket to No. 3 Win-Dale (Winthrop/Hall-Dale).

Wednesday will see No. 8 Hampden try to upset No. 1 and 20-0 Orono at 8:10 p.m. at Sawyer Arena; No. 5 Presque Isle invade No. 4 Winslow and upstart No. 10 Houlton-Hodgdon travel to tackle No. 2 Gardiner.