PORTLAND — They are playing a tough schedule, and they have a young roster. But the Portland High Bulldogs are growing up.
Portland played one of its most complete games of the season Monday afternoon, beating Cheverus 4-1 at Portland Ice Arena.
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The Bulldogs took an early 2-0 lead on goals by freshmen Zach Luce and Colin Merrill, then got late goals from seniors Bronson Guimond and Eddie Apon to secure the victory. Junior Anthony Bowden had two assists.
The Bulldogs feature 10 freshmen on their 20-man roster, and they’re playing a Tier I schedule. Despite losses to Biddeford and Thornton Academy, Portland is still a respectable 5-4.
Beating the Stags (7-2) should help Portland in the Heal point standings, and also provide a confidence boost.
“Cheverus is worth some Heal points,” Bulldogs Coach Andy Gildart said. “We know they can play. We usually practice after them (at Portland Ice Arena).”
The teams share a rink and a rivalry.
“Any time you get the teams together, it’s going to be competitive,” Gildart said.
The Bulldogs played the aggressor with a whopping 46-15 advantage in shots, and they also were disciplined, not allowing Cheverus a single power play.
Portland had six power plays and scored on two of them.
“You can’t expect to score when you’re a man down all the time,” Cheverus Coach Dan Lucas said. “We’re working. Just not putting it together.
Cheverus couldn’t get into a flow. One reason for that was Portland’s defensive corps, which includes a junior (Bowden) and four freshmen (Merrill, Stephen Barry, Luigi Grimaldi and Chandler Sturgeon).
“We have solid freshman playing like they’re juniors and seniors,” said Apon, a senior.
The Bulldogs dominated the first period with an 13-4 advantage in shots. At 2:32, Luce lobbed the puck toward the goal through traffic. It found its way into the net for the unassisted goal.
On Portland’s first power play, Apon’s slap shot was blocked by goalie Max Boucher (42 saves), but Merrill was alone in the left circle for the rebound and goal at 8:01.
Cheverus’ goal came after Cameron McLain’s check behind the Portland net gave the Stags possession. Tom Sullivan grabbed the loose puck and passed out to Sean Barry, who shoved it over to Nic Lops. Lops roofed it in at 9:03, closing the score to 2-1.
Portland continued to press the play in the second period with a 14-7 shots advantage, helped by a two-minute five-on-three power play. Boucher held steady, though, and the Cheverus defensemen swept away rebounds.
With 2:40 remaining in the third period, Guimond scored in traffic for a 3-1 lead. A double-minor penalty against Cheverus made a comeback difficult, and Apon’s power-play goal at 13:03 sealed it.
The Stags got only four shots in the third – all stopped by Jon Gatti – as Portland’s defensive effort never let up.
“We have a young team and we’ve been preaching for the wingers covering the points and center covering the slot,” Gildart said. “And with Jon Gatti, it helps out to have a solid goalie.”
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at: kthomas@pressherald.com
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