BIDDEFORD — His team is young and needs to learn.
Biddeford High boys’ hockey coach Rich Reissfelder could point to Tuesday afternoon’s game and say that is how a team should play.
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Unfortunately for his Tigers, Reissfelder lavished his praise on the Bangor High Rams.
Bangor built on a first-period, power-play goal and dominated from there in a 3-0 win at Biddeford Ice Arena.
Bangor outshot Biddeford 37-13, including 26-5 over the final two periods.
“They were playing like a team. They won every loose puck battle. They got to the loose pucks first. They did a great job getting pucks below our goal line,” Reissfelder said.
As for his team …
“We failed miserably. We don’t play like a unit. We don’t play like a team half the time. We get outworked. And that’s what happens.”
This game a contest between contenders in their respective East and West regions. Bangor improved to 5-1. Biddeford dropped to 3-2.
Both teams had previously lost to East powerhouse St. Dominic. But Bangor and Biddeford responded differently to those defeats. Bangor lost to the Saints 4-2 last Friday.
“This is a great response,” Coach Quinn Paradis said of the Rams’ effort Tuesday. “After a long bus ride, we came out and played Bangor High hockey. We’re back in (contention).”
Early in the season, Biddeford lost to St. Dom’s 4-3 in overtime.
“We had our best game,” Reissfelder said. “Maybe the guys thought we’re really good and we don’t have to work.”
Biddeford looked to have the early jump, forechecking and taking shots. But a tripping penalty gave Bangor the first power play and the momentum.
Nick Graham crossed to Jake Fournier in the right circle and his one-timer gave the Rams a 1-0 lead at 3:33.
That score remained through the second period, even though the Rams had a 5-minute power play.
“They put pressure on us and we had some breakdowns,” Paradis said. “We still have some things to work on.”
But that penalty kill was the Tigers’ highlight, with goalie Brandon Daigle (34 saves) standing out.
Biddeford got a chance to tie it with a power play early in the third.
But the Rams cleared the puck and Fournier beat the Tigers to it in the corner. Fournier sent the puck toward the goal, where Graham tipped it up and past Daigle for 2-0 lead at 2:52 of the third period.
“They work hard,” Reissfelder said. His team recorded only three shots in the third period. Bangor controlled the flow and the possessions.
“Their defense does a great job of puck protection. They don’t panic. They buy time for their wings to get in position to get the puck.
“We have a young team and a small group of forwards. But you don’t have to play small. You don’t have to play young. It’s just a matter of heart.”
Sam Kenney tallied at 11:04. The Tigers got off one more shot, but Derek Fournier made his 13th save.
“We need to start picking it up a little bit,” Biddeford senior defenseman and captain Evan Loignon said. “This was a big test for us and (shows us) where we need to be at the end of the season.”
The Tigers have plenty of tests coming up. Five of their next six games are against Class A contenders (Cheverus, Scarborough, Lewiston, Falmouth and St. Dom’s) and the other is against unbeaten Class B Kennebunk.
Bangor host undefeated and state title favorite Falmouth at 5 p.m. Saturday.
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