Richter powers Brewer by Indians Witches to battle Lewiston Saturday

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BREWER – The fans had barely nestled into their seats at the T.J. Ryan Center when Brewer High School junior left wing and tri-captain Jeremiah Richter provided them with a preview of coming attractions by wristing the puck past Skowhegan High School junior goalie Tom Hopkins.

Richter had a natural hat trick (three straight goals) in the first period, opening the scoring just 30 seconds into the game, and the Witches went on to post an impressive 5-1 Class A divisional semifinal triumph over the Indians.

Brewer, 12-8, will now meet 14-6-1 Lewiston in Saturday’s crossover semifinal at Lewiston Central Maine Civic Center Saturday night at approximately 8. Skowhegan concluded a 12-8 season.

The teams had swapped one-goal decisions during the regular season.

The line of Richter and brothers Robbie and A.J. Hayes combined for four goals and five assists. Sophomore right wing Robbie Hayes had a goal and two assists and senior center and tri-captain A.J. had three assists.

“We all just work together, we work hard and we cycle the puck,” said Richter, who raised his goal total to 19 and called the game one of the team’s best of the season.

“Jeremiah is our sniper,” said Robbie with A.J. in agreement.

The Witches built a 5-0 lead after two periods as they were a step quicker than the Indians and played smothering team defense.

Brewer outshot Skowhegan 24-9 over the first two periods and finished with a 29-18 margin for the game.

“They beat us to the puck all night and played with great discipline,” said Skowhegan coach Donald Skillings.

Richter’s game-opening goal came off a two-on-one with Robbie Hayes, who took a pass off the glass from brother A.J. before sliding it over to Richter.

“I put it in the top right corner because I figured the goalie wouldn’t have time to get over,” said Richter.

Just over eight minutes later, Richter intercepted an errant clearing pass and busted in down the left wing on Hopkins.

“I put it five-hole,” said Richter of his 14-footer.

The back-breaking third goal came with 22 seconds left in the period.

Robbie Hayes centered it from the left corner and Hopkins appeared to have it tied up on the near post. However, it squirted loose.

“I just jammed it in,” said Richter who stuffed it between Hopkins’ right skate and the post.

Matt Grimes made it 4-0 5:29 into the second period when he tucked the puck under Hopkins from a flurry in front involving linemates Josh Caldwell and Will Prescott.

Robbie Hayes capped the scoring with a power-play goal as he came out of the left corner and snapped a screened 12-footer past Hopkins.

Scott Libby ruined Spencer Dunbar’s shutout bid by sweeping home the rebound of a Brett Bilodeau shot 4:29 into the third period.

Thirty-nine goal scorer Bilodeau, a great skater with crafty moves, had a frustrating night as he had the puck roll off his stick on two breakaways and had Dunbar stop two more with his pad and stick.

“I just couldn’t get a handle on the puck [on the two breakaways],” said Bilodeau. “They took it to us. We came out ready to go but that goal 30 seconds into the game brougbt us down.”

WITCHES 5, INDIANS 1

Skowhegan (12-8) 0 0 1 ? 1

Brewer (12-8) 3 2 0 ? 5

First period ? 1. Br, Richter (R. Hayes, A.J. Hayes), :30; 2. Br, Richter (unassisted), 8:32; 3. Br, Richter (R. Hayes, A.J. Hayes), 14:38. Penalties: Br, Tardiff, cross checking, 11:34.

Second period ? 4. Brewer, Grimes (Caldwell, Prescott), 5:29; 5. Brewer, R. Hayes (A.J. Hayes), 10:56 (pp). Penalties: Sk, Taylor, elbowing, 1:19; Sk, Taylor, high sticking, 7:16; Sk, Bilodeau, tripping, 8:04; Sk, D. Turner, interference, 10:31.

Third period ? 6. Sk, Libby (Bilodeau), 4:29. Penalties: Sk, Bilodeau, slashing, :27; Br, Richter, interference, 1:05; Sk, Libby, interference, 11:05; Sk, N. Gagne, tripping, 14:32.

Shots on goal: Skowhegan 3-6-9?18; Brewer 12-12-5?29

Goaltenders: Skowhegan, Hopkins (29 shots-24 saves); Brewer, Dunbar (18-17)

Power-play opportunities: Skowhegan 0-1; Brewer 1-7

Attendance: 200 (est.)