Rams’ upset win provides lift Riley’s sharp play in net, Bangor’s full-game effort key factors

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The Bangor High School Rams haven’t had the hockey season they had hoped for.

Entering Tuesday night’s game at undefeated Lewiston, the Rams were just 6-7, including losses to Class B Presque Isle and Houlton-Hodgdon.

But the Rams stunned the Blue Devils 4-2 and hope that triumph can trigger a late-season surge and playoff run.

“We played three solid periods of hockey,” said Bangor coach Ted Taylor. “From the first drop of the puck to the final buzzer, they played like they could play. And [goalie Andrew] Riley was on. He was a big factor.”

Riley finished with 32 saves.

“We were relaxed,” said defenseman Nick George, who scored a goal. “We just focused on us, not on what they might do.”

“We had nothing to lose,” said right winger Christian Dionne, who had a goal and an assist.

“The Lewiston players have all dyed their hair blonde. That annoyed us. We were really focused,” said Ram left winger Johnny Warren, who also had a goal and an assist.

Riley said it was “definitely my best game of the year” and admitted he hasn’t played up to his expectations.

“But I’m hoping that game will turn everything around,” said Riley.

Warren said the lesson they learned was the value of hard work.

“Everything results from hard work,” said Warren. “We’ve had a roller-coaster season. But when everybody shows up [ready] to play, we can be one of the best teams in the state. This will give us a huge confidence boost.”

The win was especially sweet for the Rams since Lewiston has eliminated them from the Eastern Maine Class A playoffs the last four years, twice in the final and twice in the semis.

Fadrigon coaching grandson

When Gene Fadrigon was the head hockey coach at Old Town High, he coached his son, Gene, an excellent goalie.

Now he is an assistant at Bangor’s John Bapst High School and he is coaching his grandson, Tyler, who is a defenseman for the Crusaders.

“When I coached Gene, there was always pressure. I was his coach and he had to be better to take the pressure off me. I didn’t want people to think there was any favoritism,” said Fadrigon.

“My grandson is a joy to be around. He appreciates everything and I don’t have the same expectations I had with Gene. He’s competitive, but the nice thing is after the game is over, it’s done with,” said Gene, who added that his grandson is a strong, physical player who knows the game well.

“It’s like having another coach on the bench,” said Fadrigon.

Tyler, son of Gene and Betty’s daughter Jodi, said he enjoys being coached by his grandfather.

“It’s awesome. He has coached me most of my life. He’s had a real positive influence on my career,” said Tyler Fadrigon. “He treats me like everybody else, but he pushes me the extra mile.”

Rink rat Daigle gets 100th point

Presque Isle High School hockey coach Carl Flynn said senior left winger Brandon Daigle is the “consummate rink rat.”

“He plays in a gentlemen’s league for guys 25 and older before the high school season, during the Christmas break and every Sunday morning,” said Flynn. “Any time there’s ice, he’ll be there.”

Daigle has turned that passion for hockey into a 100-point career for the Wildcats. He became just the third Presque Isle player to reach the plateau after brothers Doug (1997) and Darren Carlisle (2002).

Daigle has 56 goals and 44 assists.

“I’ve loved hockey forever. Ever since I was 4,” said Daigle, who credited older brother Sean with getting him interested in the sport.

“My brother played, so I tried it out, I liked it and I’ve stuck with it,” said Brandon, whose brother was a goalie for the Wildcats.

He added that the Carlisles and other players in the gentlemen’s league have aided his career.

“They’re always giving me pointers on how to do stuff better. They’ve taught me a lot,” said Daigle.

Flynn and his teammates have been instrumental in his success, too, he said.

“I always learn something new from them,” said Daigle.

He thought a 100-point career was possible and is pleased he was able to attain it.

“It’s very nice. It felt great. It’s good to reach a goal I set,” said Daigle.

Flynn said Daigle’s accomplishment is even more noteworthy because he had only five points as a freshman.

“He put in his time sitting on the bench,” said Flynn.

“I was still going to go for it,” said the determined Daigle.

Flynn said Daigle is a “very hard worker” and the fact he has 44 assists “shows he’s not a puck hog.”

“He’s willing to give as well as receive. He communicates well with the other players. He has great vision for what’s going on, and he has a nose for the net. He’ll sacrifice anything to score a goal, even standing in front of a [PI defenseman] Greg Cyr slap shot,” said Flynn.

Flynn said the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Daigle is “a good kid with a big heart. He’ll do anything for anyone.”

Daigle and the Wildcats reached the Eastern Maine Class B final last year and he said he would love to go a step further this season.

He said he has learned the importance of being a team player this year.

“At the beginning of the season, I had 100 points on my mind. But I realized I needed to think about the team more because I couldn’t get it if it wasn’t for them,” said Daigle.

lmahoney@bangordailynews.net

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