PORTLAND — Scarborough came in the favorite Saturday night, but as Coach Caitlin Cashman said, “It’s still Cheverus, nonetheless.”

Scarborough used two dominating periods and two Abby Rutt goals to beat Cheverus, the defending girls’ hockey state champion, 3-1 at the Portland Ice Arena.

The Red Storm (3-1-1) demonstrated they could still be the team to beat in the West, although York may have a say). Scarborough outshot the Stags 34-11, including 25-4 through two periods.

“This is a hard-working group of kids who want to win as a team,” Cashman said.

Cheverus (3-1) saw its 24-game winning streak – after a 21-0 season last year – come to an end.
Stags Coach J.P. Lavoie knew Rutt would be tough to contain but also was impressed with her teammates.

“They’re not one-dimensional,” Lavoie said. “Abby Rutt is obviously their top player but I saw other kids who were really strong. And they have good goaltending.”

Scarborough outshot Cheverus 12-0 in the first period. But it was scoreless as Stags defensemen Sarah LaQuerre, Emily Sawchuck and Anna McDonough held up, and goalie Taylor Witham (31 saves) kept her ground.

Scarborough’s top line of Rachel Wallace, Sarah Martens and Kaitlin Reynolds kept the puck in the Stags’ zone.

On line changes, Scarborough demonstrated its depth. The Red Storm kept up their fore-check, led by Kristina Block.

The second period began with the Red Storm again attacking. Defenseman Spencer Shoebottom got the puck at the point and slapped a shot through traffic for a 1-0 lead after 56 seconds.
LaQuerre got the Stags’ first shot on goal, but Devan Kane (10 saves) handled it.

A minute later, Rutt took control of the puck behind the Scarborough net. She zipped past two defenders to score at 2:42.

Cheverus began the third period with a spark. Katie Roy, who missed much of the second because of illness, scored 15 seconds into the period from Anna McDonough. The Stags kept shooting but nothing more got past Kane.

Rutt added a goal at 10:22.

The Stags, rebuilding their roster this year, kept sending out new forwards, including freshman Alex Logan. They skated with Scarborough at times but the Red Storm were too strong.

“We battled through it,” Lavoie said. “We had kids get a chance to play and they stepped up. And our goaltender was great.

“But Scarborough is a very good team. They’re going to be tough all year.”

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

kthomas@pressherald.com