BIDDEFORD — When Biddeford High warmed up before Monday’s girls’ hockey game, the Tigers were an impressive sight with a full squad of skaters.
And when a depleted Portland team came out with only 11 skaters and a goalie, the Bulldogs looked in trouble. Biddeford Coach Marie Potvin knew better.
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“You could tell by the way we warmed up – we didn’t come to play,” Potvin said. “We did not have a good week of practice, and it showed.”
The Bulldogs did show up, however, and took care of the Tigers with a 6-2 win at the Biddeford Ice Arena.
It was an important victory. With only four playoff spots in Western Maine, it is likely that Portland (4-3-1) and Biddeford (3-6) will be battling for that fourth spot.
The advantage now goes to Portland, which was missing seven players, including four regulars, with various ailments. Their teammates got plenty of playing time.
“They did excellent,” Bulldogs Coach Courtney Rideout said. “We rotated two lines and they skated hard and hustled.”
Raechel Allen, Portland’s high-scoring forward, moved to defense for the game – but did not stop scoring. She tallied three goals and an assist. Fellow defenseman Drew Barry scored twice.
The Bulldogs’ greatest threat was when Allen or Barry took possession in their own end and took off.
“They can generate a lot of offense,” Rideout said. “And they both have that finishing touch.”
McKinzie Parker also scored for Portland. The Bulldogs’ third defenseman, Zoe Swaffer, recorded two assists, and Juel Odulio added an assist.
Biddeford outshot the Bulldogs 27-19, but Portland goalie Courtney Rickett was usually in position, while also making some nifty pad saves.
“We’re coming out with a good intensity level and feeding off each other’s energy,” said Bulldogs captain Effie Drew. Her co-captain, Abbi Scrutchfield, missed the game with a concussion.
“The injuries are holding us back,” Drew said. “But we came out hard (on Monday).
Portland jumped to a 3-0 lead. Barry skated through the Tigers’ defense and buried two shots, and Parker knocked in the rebound of a shot by Allen.
With 12 seconds left in the first period, Biddeford’s Anna Marie Rowe scored on pass from Autumn Brown.
When Haley Reny scored 50 seconds into the second period (Kellie Renk assist), the Tigers closed to 3-2.
But it was Portland’s game from there, especially with Allen zipping through Biddeford’s zone.
“Raechel Allen schooled our defense all game,” Potvin said.
Allen skated by the Tigers’ defensemen and in front of the crease, scoring on a forehand at 7:20 of the second period.
Four minutes later, Allen skated in with the same move, but goalie Emily Brassley slid over for the stop. Allen spun around and backhanded a shot between Brassley’s pads for a 5-2 lead.
Allen wristed in a shot in the third period to complete the scoring. The Bulldogs were soon celebrating. They are becoming a contender.
Meanwhile, Biddeford, one of Western Maine’s top teams the past two years, is in danger of missing the playoffs.
“It’s a huge concern,” Potvin said. “We told our players that this was a big month, and we did not start well.”
The teams meet again Jan. 12 in Portland.
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at: kthomas@pressherald.com
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