INDIAN ISLAND – Hockey games are often won during the third period. And teams that can utilize four lines are often able to wear down their opponents and make a few breaks for themselves down the stretch.

Old Town scored three goals in the final eight minutes here Tuesday night to earn a 6-3 Class B hockey victory over Brewer at Sockalexis Arena.

Coach Gene Fadrigon’s 8-2 Indians, who fell behind 0-2, came on strong in the second period and then finished with a flourish while fighting off a scrappy Brewer squad. Coach Bill Schwarz’s Witches are now 6-2.

The Indians’ ability to play four lines consistenty in the third period meant fresher legs and more likelihood of being in position to score goals.

“We skated four lines most of the night and when you do that, you’re going to wear most teams down,” Fadrigon said. “We’re pretty fortunate. We’ve got quite a few kids who can skate.”

Old Town began to see the benefits of its new line combinations, sparked by the trio of Cory Thibodeau between Matt Eastman and Jason Richards. That line recorded five points on the night, figuring in the go-ahead and game-clinching goals in the final 15 minutes.

“We tried new lines and they seem to be working out good,” said Eastman, who scored two goals. “Our line, we’ve only been together two games, so we don’t really know. We had five points tonight, so that’s pretty good.”

Old Town took the lead for good with 7:13 to play in the game, capitalizing on a power play. C.J. Theriault took a pass from Scott Hill at the left faceoff circle and slipped a centering pass to Eastman, who knocked the puck down with his skate and shoveled a backhander past sprawled Brewer goalie Billy Knopf.

Just 29 seconds later, Jason Richards padded the lead when he flicked a rebound backhander to the left of Knopf. The Indians iced it with 1:03 left when Richards maneuvered around in the right corner, then slid a centering pass to Thibodeau, who one-timed it past Knopf.

Senior goaltender Jeff Cust enabled the Indians to come up with the late burst with some superb goaltending earlier in the third period. Brewer had five quality scoring chances during a span of four minutes, but Cust turned them all away.

“Jeff Cust really played fantastic in goal for us,” Fadrigon said. “Brewer really put some pressure on him at different times and he came up big for us.”

The Witches jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead when Jason Henderson scored goals less than two minutes apart. Hector Vydas and Aaron O’Donnell, respectively, had the assists.

Old Town broke loose in the second period, getting on the scoreboard when Eastman streaked down the left wing and snapped a 12-footer into the upper far side of the net at the 1:25 mark. Thirty seconds later, Thibodeau scored when his dump-in shot from the right point eluded Knopf to make it 2-2.

“I think that sort of got us back in the game (psychologically),” Eastman said. “On that second goal the goalie looked shaky, so we got some confidence.”

Brewer regained the lead at the 4:55 mark when Scott Moorhead dug the puck out of the right corner and pushed it over to Henderson, who slapped it home from point-blank range to complete his hat trick.

Lorin Blair tied it up with 3:36 left in the second period when he broke in off the left side and snapped a wrister past Knopf to the short side.

Cust made 16 saves for the Indians, who outshot the Witches 23-19. Knopf made 17 stops on 23 shots.

Indians 6, Witches 3

Old Town 0 3 3 – 6 Brewer 2 1 0 – 3

First period – 1. Brewer, Henderson (H. Vydas), 12:04; 2. Brewer, Henderson (O’Donnell), 14:01; Penalties: none

Second period – 3. Old Town, Eastman (Chunglo), 1:25; 4. Old Town, Thibodeau (C. Thomas), 1:55; 5. Brewer, Henderson (Moorhead), 4:55; 6. Old Town, Blair (A.C. King), 11:24; Penalties: Old Town, Patterson, holding, 4:48; Brewer, Hinckley, tripping, 8:51

Third period – 7. Old Town, Eastman (Theriault, Hill), 7:47; 8. Old Town, Richards (unassisted), 8:16; 9. Old Town, Thibodeau (Richards), 13:57; Penalties: Brewer, S. Monroe, holding, 7:27; Old Town, Blackwell, holding, 11:50; Old Town, Thibodeau, roughing, 13:57; Brewer, Moorhead, roughing, 13:57

Shots on goal: Old Town 3-9-11-23; Brewer 6-4-9-19

Goaltenders: Old Town, Jeff Cust; Brewer, Billy Knopf