Westbrook’s tired penalty-killing units were no match for Deering’s high-scoring power play lines, and the result was a 9-2 loss Saturday at the Portland Ice Arena.

The teams appeared evenly matched early, but six third-period goals for the Rams (2-8) put the game out of reach for the Blazes (2-8).

“In the end, penalties killed us tonight,” said Westbrook coach Glenn Amico. “We are struggling, but we have a young team that’s doing the best they can, and that’s all you can ask for.”

Both teams began their offensive attacks in the first period, with Deering outshooting their opponents seven to four. Emerging as Westbrook’s leader early on, captain Matthew Buotte skated down the ice and fired off a pair of shots, but the offensive efforts of Buotte, Zachary Johnson and Zachary Souza weren’t enough.

Late in the first period, Deering’s Justin Clouatre took a pass from Marty Rodick and flipped the puck past Westbrook goaltender Stas Basistyy for the game’s first score.

Basistyy, who had stopped all five shots presented to him prior to the goal, finished out the period by blocking two Deering power play shots, thus sending the Blazes to the locker room behind by just a goal.

With Westbrook down two men in the second period, the Rams’ Nick Bartlett rifled off a shot, which found the back of his opponents’ net to extend the lead to two goals. Another power play goal for Deering made it 3-0.

“We put a lot of pressure in the zone and moved the puck down low,” said Deering’s Dan Brown. “We were able to get off our shots and rebounds, and that was what really led to our victory.”

Buotte provided his squad with some relief when he skated into the Deering defensive zone and fired a shot that rippled the netting, as Westbrook attempted to gain ground on the fast-acting Rams.

The Blazes found themselves with a two-man advantage late in the middle period and launched six attempts to score, but went into the locker room down 3-1.

Westbrook immediately began their attack in the third. Buotte moved the puck down the ice constantly, trying to put some shots on goal. However, the efforts were hindered when Chris Quattrucci intercepted a Blazes’ pass and dished it off to Rodick, who proceeded to push the margin to three.

“We came out here tonight with all our intensity,” said Bartlett, who contributed two of Deering’s nine goals. “We were able to stop their good guys and keep the pressure on.”

The Rams kept that pressure on for the entire final period, allowing only one goal when Buotte took charge toward the end of the game, working the puck down the ice. Deking past Deering’s defense, he was able to move in front of the net and lift the puck past goalie Nick Stearling.

“Tonight we just didn’t show up,” said Buotte. “We dug ourselves our own hole when we took 13 penalties. That’s 13 more than we want to take.”

After fending off quite a few shots, Basistyy was rested late in the third period when Zachary Joy took over between the pipes.

“The penalty kill wasn’t clearing the puck from the slot,” said Basistyy. “We did fine for two periods – it was 2-1 going into the third – but we just cracked under the pressure.”

The Blazes are scheduled to face-off today (Jan. 25) against Gray/New Gloucester at the USM Ice Arena.