Girls’ hockey gets a jump on the other winter sports with its playoffs beginning in only two weeks.

The talk this season has been one of parity. Any one of five teams — Greely, Scarborough, York, Lewiston and Leavitt-Edward Little — are given a chance to play for the state championship.

A sixth voice is trying to be heard.

Even though Falmouth lost to York 4-2 on Monday night, the Yachtsmen (11-5) are not a team to be taken lightly.

After beginning the season 1-3, Falmouth has motored along at 10-2.

“Our team is coming together,” Coach Rob Carrier said. “If we can get healthy for the playoffs, we should be a dangerous team.”

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Injuries and illness specifically targeted the goalie position. Carrier has used four goalies this year.

The strength of the team is found in forwards Lucy Meyer and Abby Payson, and defensemen Alyse Bazinet and Martina St. Angelo.

The York game Monday was the first of three tough tests before the postseason. The Yachtsmen are at Scarborough on Saturday, then play Greely next Wednesday to finish the regular season.

Falmouth and York, who split their series this year, likely will be the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds in the West and would meet in the regional semifinals.

THE MERGED girls’ team of Cape Elizabeth and Waynflete was once on a hot streak, going 2-0-2 in four games, including a win over Falmouth and a tie with York. But injuries have halted momentum.

The Capers have lost six straight and are 3-8-3. Two of their starters are out with concussions, leaving the Capers with nine skaters.

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THE HOBEY BAKER High School Character Award is coming to Maine.

The Hobey Baker Award Foundation, which is better known for honoring college hockey’s best men’s player every year, also promotes a character award to a player on every high school team.

The high school award began in 2003 in various states. It will be awarded to Maine high school boys’ and girls’ teams for the first time this season.

Coaches will select a player whose sportsmanship and character are demonstrated by “attitude, work ethic, unselfishness and coachability.”

THE BRUNSWICK girls’ team is in sixth place in the East, out of a playoff spot. The Dragons reached the East final last year but Coach Bill Bodwell isn’t upset about his current team being 5-10.

“The season has been going close to my expectations,” he said. “We had a lot of holes to fill from last year’s team, needing to replace all of our defense, and three of the top six forwards.”

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Brunswick, which has been led by seniors Eliza Brooks, Gillian Ford and Rachel Moroney, also has received some strong games from goalie Claire Mendes. The Dragons play a key game Friday against Yarmouth-Freeport (5-9-1), which is fourth in the East.

THE BIDDEFORD boys’ team has played a tough schedule with losses to Lewiston (twice), Thornton Academy and Scarborough. The Tigers (5-4-1) recorded a huge win Saturday, beating Cheverus 4-3 in overtime.

Biddeford now moves on to games against Class B power Greely (8-2) on Saturday, and at St. Dominic on Monday.

Cheverus, meanwhile, hasn’t played since the Biddeford game. Because of exams and a rescheduled game against Kennebunk, now on Feb. 4, the Stags don’t play again until Jan. 31 vs. St. Dom’s.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at: kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: KevinThomasPPH

 


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