BREWER – It has been a frustrating season for the Brewer High School hockey team and Monday afternoon’s game against Hampden Academy started like so many others had.

But the Witches, behind junior right wing Matt Grimes’ first career four-goal game and the clutch goaltending of freshman Aaron Saunders, overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat the Broncos 5-3.

John Ambrose had the other goal for the 3-11 Witches and Jake Richter and Danny Shufelt had two assists apiece. Saunders stopped 12 of 13 shots he faced after replacing Anthony Puiia in the second period.

His terrific glove save off Kyle Weiland with 3:28 remaining preserved the win.

Chris Pease, Steve Boutin and Jason Huntley scored for the 6-6 Broncos, whose six losses have been by a total of seven goals. Huntley also had an assist.

“It’s about time we did something,” said Grimes. “We fought hard today. We didn’t give up.”

Brewer scored four unanswered goals after Pease beat Puiia with a wrister off a Weiland face-off win and Boutin tucked a 20-foot snap shot inside the left post.

Grimes triggered the comeback by scoring 30 seconds after Boutin late in the first period.

Ben Caldwell sliced across the top of the crease but the puck slid off his stick to Grimes.

“The puck came to me and the net was wide open,” said Grimes, who flipped it past Bronco goalie Rory Woods.

Richter set up Ambrose’s tying goal with a nifty rush down the right wing and a quick little pass. Ambrose one-timed a 12-footer past Woods.

Grimes gave Brewer the lead for good with 3:11 left in the second period.

He scooted down the left wing in a one-on-one with Bronco defenseman Ian Lee.

“I saw that the defenseman was screening the goalie so I shot to the far side and tried to keep it low,” said Grimes, who beat Woods from the top of the left circle.

“Matt’s speed makes him so much of a weapon,” said Brewer coach Steve Van Dolman.

“He’s a good player,” said Bronco defenseman Chris Standley.

Grimes made it 4-2 on the power play as he converted from a tight angle to Woods’ right off a precise backhand pass out from Richter.

The Broncos had killed off a two-man disadvantage that spanned 2:23 but Grimes’ goal came with 59 seconds left in the one-man advantage.

Huntley’s wraparound made it 4-3 with 9:50 left.

But Saunders made his glove stop to preserve the win after Mike Brown had set up Weiland just beyond the top of the crease to the goalie’s right.

“I was just playing my angles. I never saw the shot,” said Saunders.

Grimes added an empty-netter.

“I wish we could play a whole game [well],” said Bronco coach Tom King, whose team outshot Brewer 26-19.

WITCHES 5, BRONCOS 3

Brewer (3-11) 1 2 2 ? 5

Hampden Academy (6-6) 2 0 1 ? 3

First period ? 1. HA, Pease (Weiland), 3:25 (pp); 2. HA, Boutin (Huntley, Brooks), 11:26; 3. Brw, Grimes (Caldwell, Shufelt), 11:56. Penalties: Brw, Thoms, interference, 3:25

Second period ? 4. Brw, Ambrose (Richter), 3:01 (pp); 5. Brw, Grimes (Fitzpatrick), 11:49. Penalties: HA, Pease, hooking, 1:15; Brw, Thoms, interference, 3:18; HA, too many men on the ice (served by Dunham), 9:47; HA, Standley, five-minute major for slashing, 12:23; HA, Pease, slashing and unsportsmanlike conduct, 14:59

Third period ? 6. Brw, Grimes (Shufelt, Richter), 3:00 (pp); 7. HA, Huntley (Standley), 5:10; 8. Brw, Grimes (unassisted), 15:00 (en) Penalties: Brw, Richter, charging, 8:02

Shots on goal: Brewer 3-10-6?19; HA 10-5-11?26

Goaltenders: Brewer, Puiia (13 shots-11 saves), Saunders (3:01 of 2nd, 13-12); HA, Woods (18-14)

Power-play opportunities: Brewer 2 of 4; HA 1 of 3

Attendance: 100 (est.)