Riots slip past Raiders in OT McConnon scores winner

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ORONO – The Orono High School Red Riots hadn’t beaten Eastern Maine Class B hockey archrival Winslow since the 2003-2004 season and Black Raider goalie Devon Grenier was frustrating them on Wednesday night.

But junior left wing Tony Raymond finally solved the superb senior 4:01 into the third period and another junior left wing, Chris McConnon, swept home a rebound 49 seconds into the overtime as Orono triumphed 2-1.

Orono, which began the night in third place in the EM Class B Heal point standings, improved to 12-4 while defending Eastern B champ Winslow, which was fourth, fell to 11-6.

Grenier finished with 37 saves, including 21 in a first-period barrage that could have resulted in a lopsided win for the Riots.

Grenier made eight saves on Orono’s first power play alone, and at least 10 of the Riots’ 21 first-period shots were Grade-A (high-percentage)shots.

“You can’t score clean goals on him. You’ve got to score garbage goals,” said McConnon, whose game-winner was proof of his assertion.

Nathan Curtis made a precise cross-ice pass to Brandon Paul in the left circle and Paul rifled a one-timer that Grenier deflected with his left elbow after scampering across his crease.

“I just crashed the net. Nose to the grindstone,” said McConnon. “The puck dropped in the crease and I tapped it home.”

Grenier said, “I thought I had it [against his body] with my elbow, but it popped out.”

Despite being outshot 21-6 in the first period, Winslow took a 1-0 lead on the power play. Andy Wheeler took a pass from Nate Pelletier and, using Riot defenseman Tommy Smyth as a screen, blasted a low 40-foot slap shot from the high slot that beat Orono goalie Keith Hedrick between his left skate and the post.

Hedrick wasn’t nearly as busy as Grenier but finished with a solid 16-save performance.

Raymond’s tying goal was set in motion by a Smyth slapper from the point.

“I tried to deflect it, but I stopped it,” said Raymond. “I followed the puck and put a backhander five-hole.”

Grenier said, “I didn’t have my stick down.”

Winslow was playing without five players who were either academically ineligible or injured, but some could return this weekend, according to Winslow coach Corey Lessard.

The Raiders also lost the services of second-line center Sean Bourgois to a back injury in the first period while the Riots lost first-line center and second-leading scorer Kyle Weiland to a wrist injury, also in the first period.

Winslow played a much better defensive game in the second and third periods as the Raiders made sure their forwards backchecked more effectively and they protected the front of Grenier’s net better.

But they couldn’t generate much offense in the third period and overtime, being held to only three shots on goal.

“We ran out of gas. We were only playing two lines. They definitely beat us,” said Lessard. “When you get outshot 39-17, you can’t win that way.”

McConnon said the Riots were seeking a measure of revenge after losing to Winslow three times last year, including in the Eastern Maine Class B final, and once this season.

“This was a huge win for us. It was like a playoff game,” said McConnon.

Raymond said Grenier frustrated them, but they just kept working hard.

Grenier said he was pleased with the way he played in the first two periods but felt he and his mates “fell apart” in the third.

Orono coach Greg Hirsch was happy with his team’s performance.

“I thought we did everything possible to generate offense,” said Hirsch, who considers Grenier one of the best goalies in the league.

Grenier, who was frustrated by the loss, whacked his stick on the boards after the game and received a game misconduct penalty. He will miss Saturday’s game against Presque Isle because of it.

RED RIOTS 2, WINSLOW 1 (OT)

Winslow (11-6) 1 0 0 0-1

Orono (12-4) 0 0 1 1-2

First period – 1. Win, Wheeler (Pelletier), 13:24 (pp). Penalties: Win, Leclair, interference, 4:30; Win, McCabe, hooking, 7:38; Orono, Michaud, interference, 13:00; Win, Rancourt, interference, 13:41.

Second period – No scoring. Penalties: Orono, Smyth, holding, 7:54; Win, Wheeler, contact to the head-elbowing, 9:01; Orono, Babin, contact to the head-elbowing, 14:40.

Third period – 2. Orono, Raymond (Smyth), 4:01. Penalties: Orono, Smyth, contact to the head-elbowing, 8:08.

Overtime – 3. Orono, McConnon (Paul, Curtis), :49. Penalties: Win, Grenier, unsportsmanlike conduct-game misconduct, :49.

Shots on goal: Winslow 6-8-3-0-17; Orono 21-9-7-2-39

Goaltenders: Winslow, Grenier (39 shots-37 saves); Orono, Hedrick (17-16)

Power-play opportunities: Winslow 1 of 4; Orono 0 of 4

Attendance: 200 (est.)