Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

February 14

Girls' hockey regionals: Red Storm clamp down to oust York

Scarborough wins the West, using Devan Kane's saves and Sarah Martens' goal for a 1-0 victory.

By Kevin Thomas kthomas@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

PORTLAND - They kept shooting, but all the while wary of staying on their defensive game.

Top-seeded Scarborough put in a complete effort Wednesday night, beating second-seeded York 1-0 for the West championship in a girls' hockey regional final at the Portland Ice Arena.

Sarah Martens scored on a rebound early in the second period. The Red Storm played superb team defense, allowing only 13 shots, and Devan Kane stopped them all.

Scarborough (18-1-1) will meet defending champion Greely (17-2-1) in the state title game at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Colisee in Lewiston.

In their only meeting this year, Scarborough and Greely played to a 2-2 tie.

York (15-4-1) split with Scarborough during the year, handing the Red Storm their only loss.

The Wildcats were outshot 39-13 but stayed with Scarborough because of goalie Olivia Drew.

Playing her last high school game, Drew couldn't have been busier or better, making 38 saves.

"She's an amazing goalie," said Martens, who plays with Drew on the Junior Pirates under-19 team.

"We tried to get as many shots as we could and attack the rebounds."

Scarborough skated out hard to begin the second period, peppering Drew. She kept responding until Martens lifted in a rebound at 1:43.

"Rachel (Wallace) shot it on net. There was a big scramble," Martens said. "I just saw the opening and happened to put it in."

The Red Storm outshot York 14-5 in the second period, but the Wildcats are used to that. They allow shots and then try to counter.

"We were waiting for our opportunity to go for it," York Coach Jeff Hurd said.

But the Red Storm seemed determined not to let that happen.

"We know York is a grinder team," Red Storm Coach Caitlin Cashman said. "They do a really nice job of battling the whole game.

"We just said we need to battle twice as hard, and worry about ourselves and our game. We need to go at them and not sit back on our heels."

Scarborough's defensive pairs of Sam Nablo and Brenna Kent, and Riley McKeown and Jenna Block kept York from solid chances, while Martens, Kristen Murray and Madison O'Reilly were among those back-checking well.

Still, the Wildcats did have an opening or two. In the second period, York forward Rachel Yorke stole the puck in Scarborough's zone and fired from the right circle. Kane made the stop.

"It was a hard game to keep focused because it wasn't consistent pressuring," Kane said. "I just watched the puck wherever it was.

Kane is also Drew's teammate on the Junior Pirates.

"She played phenomenal," Kane said. "Just one unlucky rebound."

With 18 seconds left, York pulled Drew before a faceoff in Scarborough's zone. Martens won the faceoff and the Wildcats never got control.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: KevinThomasPPH

 

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