BIDDEFORD – Each team averaged six goals a game. Each came in with gaudy won-loss records. One team had four players among the top 15 scorers in the region, the other three.

So how much difference was there between the Thornton Academy and Marshwood-Traip boys’ hockey teams Wednesday night?

Plenty.

Seniors Andrew Carignan had four goals and an assist, and C.J. Maksut had three goals and four assists as the Trojans rolled past Marshwood-Traip 8-1 in a Western Class A boys’ hockey game at Biddeford Arena.

With all eight seniors in the lineup for their final regular-season home game, the Trojans (11-1-1) went 5 of 12 on the power play to collect their fourth straight win.

“They’re a good team and you can’t take that many penalties and expect to compete,” said Marshwood-Traip Coach Eric Royal. “They’re too big and too deep to dig yourself out of a hole like that.”

“Special teams bailed us out,” said Thornton Coach Jamie Gagnon. “We lost focus, lost discipline toward the end, and we’re a little disappointed in that. We’re basically happy to get a win, especially for these seniors who have meant so much to this program.”

Tyler Gagnon was strong in goal for the Hawks (11-3), turning aside 35 shots. Thornton’s Joe Ferrante made 18 saves.

Carignan got the Trojans started on the power play, scoring at 7:14 and Maksut made it 2-0 with another power-play goal four minutes later.

With 41 seconds left in the period, Corey Wright showed why he’s one of the top scorers in Western Class A, picking up a loose puck just outside the blue line and skating in alone on Ferrante. His wrist shot beat Ferrante to cut Thornton’s lead to 2-1.

It was Wright’s 18th goal of the season.

The Trojans were aware of the difference between the teams in terms of size, depth and skill. But, they say, those factors didn’t alter their approach.

“We didn’t want to take them lightly, came out with the same mind-set as we did against Bangor (a 7-0 win),” Maksut said. “We had kind of a slow start, got it going on the power play, which helped. Going into the second period, Coach was talking about picking it up a little bit and we were able to do that.”

The Trojans took command in the second with Carignan scoring at 1:13 and Maksut adding his second 1:29 later. Carignan made it 5-1 at 12:47.

Frustration began to show in the third period as 13 penalties were called. Thornton was whistled for five, including two for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Marshwood-Traip was called for eight, including a bench minor, an unsportsmanlike conduct and a game disqualification for reaching the five-penalty limit.

Thornton collected two more power-play goals and a short-handed goal by Carignan.

“It felt great to score four for the first time,” Carignan said. “It felt even better because I had most of my family here to support me.”

 

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