Bangor scores 6 goals in 2nd, defeats Brewer

BREWER – Most high school hockey teams facing a four-goal deficit in the second period might be inclined to call it quits, but Bangor was playing for something more than just a win Monday night.

Down 4-0, the Rams rallied with six unanswered goals in the second period and held on for a 6-4 win over rival Brewer at T.J. Ryan Arena in the regular-season finale for both teams.

According to coach Dan Kerluke, the win clinched the top seed in Class A East for Bangor (15-4), marking the first time in the school’s 15-year history of boys’ hockey that the team has finished in the No. 1 spot.

“I think tonight was real special,” Bangor junior Nick Payson said. “Everyone was fighting to get the first-place spot.”

Payson scored twice and added an assist in a wild second period during which the Rams scored an improbably four goals in a span of less than two minutes and wrested the lead from Brewer.

“Six unanswered goals in the second period … I think the hockey gods were with us tonight,” Kerluke said outside his team’s locker room. “That’s a happy bunch of kids in there.”

The Witches (13-7) started the game aggressively and took an early lead on a goal from freshman Prentiss Swett. Junior Ben Caldwell added the first of his two goals 10 minutes into the first period and Brewer took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

The start of the second period didn’t look any better for Bangor. The Witches got goals from Caldwell and freshman Mike Kotredes only 30-seconds apart early in the session, leaving the Rams momentarily stunned.

“Any other opponent in Class A, if we were up 4-0, we might have cashed it in,” Brewer coach Steve Van Dolman said, “But it’s Bangor-Brewer.”

It turned out Van Dolman was right. Bangor finally got on the board 4:24 into the second period on Payson’s first goal, a power-play tally assisted by Vanidestine.

“I was telling the guys once we got the first [goal], the rest would come easy.” Vanidestine said.

And come the goals did, two from Vanidestine, two from junior Dylan George and another from Payson. All of a sudden, a 4-0 Brewer lead had turned into a 6-4 advantage for the Rams.

“We know we’re a great team and we can battle back, we’ve done it before,” said senior goaltender Aaron Buzzell, who made 18 saves and didn’t let up a goal after in the final 26:28 of the game.

Four of Bangor’s second-period goals came on the power play as Brewer struggled to stay out of the box.

“We only gave up two 5-on-5 goals, other than that we win the game,” Van Dolman said.

Bangor’s Buzzell also found out after the game that he was named as one of three finalists for the Travis Roy Award, given to the most outstanding senior hockey player in the state.

“Coach waited until after the game to tell me, but it’s quite an honor,” Buzzell said.

As for the first-ever No. 1 seed for Bangor, Vanidestine had this to say: “Teams will be gunning for us, but I kind of like that.”

RAMS 6, WITCHES 4

Bangor (15-4) 0 6 0 – 6

Brewer (13-7) 2 2 0 – 4

First period – 1. Bre, Swett (McLaughlin, Perry), 2:28. 2. Bre, Caldwell (McLaughlin, Shufelt), 9:59. Penalties: Ban, Vanidestine, high-sticking, 2:48; Bre, Grimes, interference, 5:08; Bre, M. Wilson, slashing, 11:50; Bre, T. Kotredes, slashing, 14:10.

Second period – 3. Bre, Caldwell (Grimes), 3:02; 4. Bre, M. Kotredes (Z. Wilson), 3:32; 5. Ban, Payson (Vanidestine), 4:24; 6. Ban, George (Eremita, Vanidestine), 8:50; 7. Ban, Vanidestine (George, Whitney), 9:22; 8. Ban, Vanidestine (Silver, George), 11:56; 9. Ban, Payson (Silver), 10:35. 10. Ban, George (Vanidestine, Payson), 13:19. Penalties: Ban, Marin, unsportsmanlike conduct, 1:38; Bre, M. Wilson, slashing, 2:22; Bre, Z. Wilson, boarding, 4:19; Bre, Richter, cross-checking, 5:04; Ban, Vanidestine, slashing, 5:08; Ban, Estabrook, delay of game, 5:49; Bre, Caldwell, roughing, 8:01; Bre, Grimes, interference, 9:41; Bre, Richter, holding, 12:10.

Third period – no scoring. Penalties: Ban, B. Silver, holding, 8:32

Shots on goal: Bangor 6-13-4-23; Brewer 5-9-8-22

Goaltenders: Bangor, Buzzell (22 shots-18 saves); Brewer, Nicknair (19-13), Saunders (4-4).

Power-play opportunities: Bangor 4 of 9; Brewer 0 of 4