BIDDEFORD — Among the strengths displayed last year by Biddeford High in its run to a state title was a dominating top line.

Trevor Fleurent and younger brother Brady along with Derek Reny (before Reny, Craig Anton), were in sync so often, they took over games.

Trevor Fleurent, the playmaker and Maine Sunday Telegram player of the year, has moved on to junior hockey, and Reny and Anton graduated.

Still, Biddeford is bowling over teams again this season when its top line takes the ice.

Brady Fleurent, now a sophomore, junior Bryan Dallaire and senior Tyler Audie have combined for 30 goals in nine games.

“There is some sort of chemistry there,” Tigers Coach Rich Reissfelder said. “I don’t know what the common thread is, if it’s Brady or just three good hockey players.”

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All three have the ability to create space for their teammates. Fleurent and Dallaire can keep possession of the puck while their teammates find open space or rush to the net. And Audie is the physical presence, grinding away.

“He adds some grit,” Reissfelder said. “He does the dirty work and makes the line work.”

Fleurent (13 goals-15 assists) and Dallaire (10-16) are the leading scorers, but Dallaire appreciates his other linemate.

“(Audie) grinds it out, goes in the corner and gives us room,” Dallaire said. “We need him out there.”

Audie can score, too, with seven goals and eight assists.

While production may drop when the top line leaves the ice, it does not disappear. Senior Scott Callahan, a tri-captain with Audie and Nick Gagne, centers the second line and has seven goals and five assists.

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Callahan is on a line with Tyson Nedeau and Mario Lemieux.

Biddeford was 7-0-2 headed into Wednesday night’s game with Portland. The Tigers have been averaging 5.38 goals a game.

THE GREELY boys join Biddeford as one of four undefeated teams in the state, along with Class A Lewiston and Class B Brewer.

But Greely has its challenges this week. The Rangers play host to York at 8:30 tonight and then on Saturday face Biddeford in a 6 p.m. game.

YARMOUTH HAS not yet played Greely. That game will take place Feb. 3. Meanwhile, the Clippers (8-4) are gathering momentum with a four-game winning streak.

In a key Class B game last week, Yarmouth beat Leavitt 7-4, securing the Clippers’ hold on fourth place in the Heal point standings ahead of the fifth-place Hornets (4-6). The top four teams in Western Class B make the playoffs.

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SPEAKING OF the playoffs, the girls’ postseason begins in two weeks. The regular season ends Feb. 5.

At least six teams appear assured of qualifying for the eight-team playoffs. Scarborough has a lock on the No. 1 seed in the West, with York and Cheverus second and third. Falmouth looks steady at No. 4, although Biddeford could make a run.

In the East, St. Dominic is cruising at No. 1, with Winslow second and Greely third. Brunswick is holding on to No. 4, but Leavitt/Edward Little is close.

SARAH LAQUERRE of Cheverus is one of the area’s top defensemen, but she can provide timely offense. Last week, after scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Lewiston, LaQuerre’s late third-period goal helped the Stags tie York, 1-1. 

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

kthomas@pressherald.com

 


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