BIDDEFORD — Biddeford began defense of its state championship with a 6-0 victory over South Portland Tuesday night in a Western Class A boys’ hockey quarterfinal at Biddeford Ice Arena.
Brady Fleurent solidified his status as a terrific playmaker, recording one goal and four assists. Tyler Audie scored two goals, and Stephen Comar, Bryan Dallaire and Scott Callahan also scored for the Tigers.
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South Portland goalie Dominic Desjardins made 41 saves. Biddeford’s Jon Fields made 21.
The top-seeded Tigers (16-0-3) advance to face No. 4 Falmouth Saturday in a semifinal at the Colisee in Lewiston.
After a scoreless first period, Biddeford simply took over with its talent against a hustling Red Riots team. South Portland finished 6-11-2 in its first season playing a Tier I schedule, including three losses to Biddeford.
After a 0-0 first period, the Red Riots felt confident.
“We were looking pretty good for a while there,” South Portland Coach Joe Robinson said. “We were hanging with them. But we just ran out of gas. I’m only running two lines and four (defensemen).”
Biddeford outshot the Red Riots 47-21 but was hampered by four penalties in the first period.
The Tigers stayed out of the box in the second period and dominated with a 22-7 advantage in shots. Biddeford finally scored at 7:24. Fleurent, from the top of the left circle, fed Comar in the slot. He skated to his right and buried the shot.
At 10:56, Fleurent and Dallaire showed their chemistry. On a two-on-one break, Dallaire backhanded a pass to Fleurent, who touched it right back to Dallaire for an open-net goal and a 2-0 lead.
Audie scored on a rebound at 13:16 for a 3-0 lead.
“I knew five-on-five we’d be fine,” Biddeford Coach Rich Reissfelder said. “It was just a matter of being mentally tough and staying out of the box.
“(The Red Riots) are a talented team, but they’re not as deep as they used to be.”
In their first meeting this season, Biddeford took a 4-0 lead, only to have South Portland come back to tie. On Tuesday, The Tigers kept coming with the offense to ensure a win.
Biddeford has played Falmouth twice this year, tying once and winning 6-1 in January.
South Portland skated six seniors and may be rebuilding some next season. The Red Riots did have junior forward Brendan Horton back on Tuesday after he missed six weeks because of chemotherapy treatments.
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at: kthomas@pressherald.com
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