Though unbeaten going into Saturday’s match-up, Gorham’s boys hockey team knew they were in for a tough challenge against third-ranked Kennebunk, and they were right.

The visitors got off to a roaring start, scoring four goals in the first half of the opening period, and Gorham couldn’t recover, suffering their first defeat, 10-3.

“We had a very bad night in the defensive zone,” said Gorham coach Eric Wales. “We were a little bit indecisive, and we didn’t clear people out of the front of the net, which was key.”

The hosts did play better after the initial eight minutes, limiting their opponent’s potent offense to two goals over the next period and a half, and then scoring three goals of their own, to Kennebunk’s four, in the third period.

The game will likely help Gorham (13-1) prepare for the state tournament by revealing weaknesses that need to be worked on before the post-season begins in two weeks. If the rankings remain as they are, Wales and his squad – currently in the sixth spot – would square off against Kennebunk (11-4) if they first advance past a preliminary round opponent.

Neither squad was short of opportunities Saturday as the action began. The first few minutes saw Gorham freshman David Gushee breaking free from the Kennebunk pressure for a couple of one-on-one chances at the net. Goaltender Pat Brady, however, was able to deny Gushee’s attempts at giving his team the quick lead.

“Early in the game (Gorham) had a couple of big opportunities right off the bat, but our goalie made a couple of big saves,” said Kennebunk coach Don Hill. “We could’ve dug ourselves a big hole there.”

Instead, Hill’s troupe was able to capitalize on Gorham’s missed chances. Following an unsuccessful breakaway, Kennebunk forward Kyle Baker swept up the ice and fed sophomore Ryder Noyes for the first strike of the game. Less than two minutes later, forward Dylan Farrell would sneak through the Gorham defense for an unassisted goal of his own.

“You could list a lot of things that we didn’t do right, but it was not having our heads in the game in the beginning that hurt us,” said captain Mark Schmidt. “We didn’t look like we did our first 13 games and that was disappointing to see.”

Kennebunk’s torrent was not finished. With 7:30 remaining Baker tallied another point for the blue-jerseyed Rams, slipping the puck through a mess of defenders and teammates near the front of the net. Another goal followed 19 seconds later, and the period ended with the visitors on top, 4-0.

“We stayed flat-footed, and we didn’t do what we were supposed to do,” said Gorham assistant captain Matt Caldwell. “We just didn’t click tonight.”

The second period began with the home team skating a lot more aggressively. Schmidt and junior defenseman Peter Mathoeu continued to punish Kennebunk with one devastating check after another. Unfortunately for Gorham, however, the increase in tenacity paralleled an increase in penalties.

Kennebunk’s fifth goal of the evening came just as their opponents had finished killing a penalty. The puck hit the back of the net seemingly as soon as the home player’s skate hit the ice. Then with 5:28 remaining in the period, they chalked up another.

Kennebunk didn’t waste any time coming into the third. Marcus Smith managed to slap the puck barely over the left shoulder of Gorham goalie Donald Gearon. The goal seemed to put the game out of reach for the maroon-jerseyed Rams, and it appeared that victory had been sealed.

“We’re not a quitting team at all,” said Wales, “but it’s tough to come back against a team like Kennebunk.”

Gorham junior Justin Grandmaison had a score waived by the official with 11:45 to go, but the call was avenged less than 20 seconds later when Gushee slipped in the Rams’ first goal of the night.

The two squads then traded a goals in less than a minute, with Baker and Gushee each getting their second on the night. Gorham forward Alex Dahms slapped in the final score of the contest with 3:46 remaining, but not until Kennebunk had managed to tally a couple more of their own.

“They battled back pretty hard in the third, and they didn’t give up when they were down by a lot,” said Hill. “They showed some character by sticking in there in the final period.”

The Gorham skaters have a busy week, with road games against Marshwood today (Feb. 8) and Deering tomorrow (Feb. 9) before they host Sanford Saturday.

“We know now what we need to do to play with the upper tier,” said Wales. “We’re 13-1. We’re still a good hockey team.”

Copy the Story Link