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The Brewer High School hockey team thought it would be able to compete in Class A after going 21-3 and claiming the state Class B title last year.
The Witches have been much more than competitive.
They are 13-2 with their only losses coming in the season opener at Waterville 3-2 and to current Heal points leader Lewiston 2-1 in Lewiston.
“If we finished 12-8 or 13-7 with our schedule, I thought we’d be doing well,” said head coach Bill Schwarz, who is in his second season at Brewer in his second stint behind the Witches’ bench. “The kids have stepped up and played well.”
Brewer is averaging 6.4 goals per game and allowing just 1.93.
“At the beginning of the season, I didn’t think we’d be 13-2 [at this stage] after losing so many players from last year,” said senior Prentiss Swett, who was moved from center to defense for this season. “But everyone believes in each other. And we feel confident with whoever is out on the ice, whether it’s the fourth, third, second or first line.”
Junior center Dylan Fitzpatrick said he hasn’t been that surprised by their success.
“We knew all along that we had the team chemistry,” said Fitzpatrick. “Coming up to Class A, we knew we had something to prove. And I think we’ve done a pretty good job doing it.”
Schwarz, Swett and Fitzpatrick said one of the primary reasons behind their success has been the play of sophomore goalie Eric White, who spent last season backing up Aaron Saunders.
White is 9-2 with a 1.73 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage, prompting Schwarz to label him their “biggest and most pleasant surprise.”
“He’s been unbelievable,” said Swett. “He stops every shot at him. I think three goals is the most he has allowed in one game.”
Fitzpatrick said White had something to prove and he has done that.
“He’s been the top goalie in the state,” said Fitzpatrick.
The Witches have two dynamic lines that offer different looks.
The highly skilled line features Fitzpatrick, who has 25 goals and 23 assists to lead the team, between left wing Nick Risser (18 & 15) and right wing Ryan Nadeau (11 & 20). Fitzpatrick and Nadeau are juniors and Risser is a sophomore.
“The guys always seem to find a way to get me the puck in the slot,” said Fitzpatrick.
Their energy line consists of Mike Kotredes (9 & 6) between Tyler Coombs (6 & 6) and Evan Nadeau (2 & 7), Ryan’s freshman brother. Kotredes and Coombs are seniors.
“Having our line together for two years has been a key thing,” said Fitzpatrick. “We work with each other really well. It’s the same for Mike and Tyler. They’ve been together since they were little kids. And Evan is a playmaker.”
Schwarz said the Kotredes line is fast and is able to pin opponents in the defensive zone and “tire their defensemen out.”
“They go out and hit people and allow our first line to be rested when it comes out,” said Swett.
Schwarz also spots in a third line comprised of Dave McNally (4 & 1) between Steven Farley (2 & 0) and either Chris Shedd (1 & 3) or Jamie Williamson (1 & 0).
Swett has solidified a defense that was hit hard by graduation.
“That’s been a big key for us,” said Fitzpatrick. “With his knowledge of hockey, he helps our other defensemen. He talks to them. He’s like having another coach out there.”
“He has really helped us get the puck out of the defensive zone,” said Schwarz. “He can skate it out.”
“I don’t think I’ve played defense since I began playing youth hockey,” said Swett. “But it’s what the team needed. It’s a lot different, but I’m finally getting used to it.”
Swett (8 & 12), sophomore Chris Lopez (5 & 15) and junior Matt Helfen (3 & 6) have been workhorses on the blue line with senior Mike Clune (0 & 4) and junior Andy Bush (1 & 4) also chipping in.
Bangor coach Ted Taylor said Fitzpatrick and White are “two of the best players in the state at their positions” and he noted that they have two hustling, hard-working lines.
“And they have a great power play,” added Taylor.
Brewer has been exceptional on special teams, converting on 26 percent of its power-play chances while killing off 93.7 percent of opponents’ power plays.
Senior Kayla Dunn (4-0, 2.50, .885) backs up White.
Schwarz and the Witches agree that an early-season 5-0 win over Brunswick, avenging the loss to Waterville with a 3-0 victory, and their performance in their 2-1 loss to Lewiston – without Kotredes in the lineup – have given them confidence.
“We’d like to make another run for a state championship,”
said Fitzpatrick.
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