Rams’ Buzzell enjoys being goalie

From the first time he was exposed to hockey, Bangor High School senior goalie Aaron Buzzell knew what position he wanted to play.

“I like to play the whole game and it was the only position you can play the whole game without taking a shift or two off,” Buzzell said.

Buzzell has been the backbone this season of the team that earned the top seed for the Eastern Maine Class A hockey tournament for the first time in the Rams’ 22-year history.

Bangor (16-4) was scheduled to entertain No. 8 Mount Ararat of Topsham (6-14) in an Eastern Maine quarterfinal today, but due to the impending storm, it was pushed back to Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Bangor’s Sawyer Arena.

In the other Tuesday quarterfinals, No. 5 Brewer (13-7) will try to beat No. 4 Brunswick (13-6-1) for the third time this season. They will square off at 8:30 p.m. at Bowdoin College’s Dayton Arena.

Also, No. 6 Waterville (11-9) travels to take on No. 3 Messalonskee of Oakland (11-6-1) and No. 2 Lewiston (15-5) will await No. 7 Edward Little of Auburn (9-11).

Buzzell’s 2.29 goals-against average, .928 save percentage, and topnotch performances against traditional powers St. Dominic of Auburn, Lewiston, and Cheverus of Portland have earned him a spot in elite company as one of three finalists for the Travis Roy Award given to the state’s best senior schoolboy hockey player.

Buzzell said he was surprised to be a Travis Roy finalist.

“It was quite an honor,” he said.

Bangor coach Dan Kerluke said it is richly deserved.

“I think he’s the best goalie in the state right now, no question,” said Kerluke.

“He keeps them in big games,” said Brewer coach Steve Van Dolman. “He moves very well side to side. He has a great glove and a great blocker.”

Buzzell feels the mental aspect of the game, namely his confidence, is one of his biggest areas of improvement.

“I’ve been able to play without worrying about letting in a bad goal, what the team will think, and how it will affect them,” said Buzzell, who puts it behind him and concentrates on making the next save.

“There have been some games this season with a question mark on them, but, all in all, I think I’ve had a pretty good season,” said Buzzell.

Kerluke can remember only “four or five” subpar performances by Buzzell in three years.

“He works hard, his agility has gotten a lot better. He has improved every year. His angles are great. When he is on his game, it’s tough to get a puck by him,” said Kerluke.

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Buzzell is quick to credit his teammates for their exceptional play in front of him and hopes they can make a long playoff run.

“We’ve had a great season. The guys work hard and have helped me out a lot in practice,” said Buzzell.

In addition to Buzzell in net, Bangor’s top line features Class A’s Nos. 1, 5, and 7 scorers in left wing Nick Payson (37 goals, 25 assists), center T.J. Vanidestine (10 & 34), and right wing Dylan George (21 & 19).

Defenseman Drew Erickson and wingers Matt Snider and Jordan Birchcrest have paced the Eagles.

The Brewer Witches beat Brunswick 4-2 and 5-3 during the regular season.

“Their team strength is their speed. We’ve got to match up with their speed. Their defense is relatively young, so we’ve got to forecheck well and cause turnovers,” said Van Dolman.

Centers Zach Wilson (19 & 18) and Ben Caldwell (14 & 14) and left wing Matt Grimes (15 & 20) have powered the Witches along with defensemen Matt Wilson, Jake Richter, and Dan Shufelt.

Chris Pendergast (22 & 17), the state’s ninth-leading point-getter, headlines the Dragons along with fellow snipers Steve May and Josh Clark.