YARMOUTH — When the boys’ hockey season began, Yarmouth was considered one of the teams to beat in Class B.

Then the Clippers began the schedule 0-5.

But look at some of the teams they lost to: Class A teams like Falmouth, Lewiston, Edward Little and Cheverus.

Two months later and yes, Yarmouth is one of the Class B teams to beat. The Clippers demonstrated that with a 3-2 overtime win over Kennebunk on Thursday night at the Travis Roy Arena.

Patrick Grant scored amid a scrum in front of the Kennebunk goal 2:28 into overtime.

The Clippers are 4-7, slowly climbing their way back up the Western B standings. Kennebunk, which has been atop those standings, dropped to 9-2-1.

Twice the Clippers lost a one-goal lead but kept playing strong. They seemed to wear out a Rams team that won a tough game against Cape Elizabeth on Wednesday night.

“We’re tired but give (Yarmouth) credit. They played a good game,” Kennebunk Coach Sean Smith said. “They are well coached and well positioned.”

The Clippers gave Kennebunk little room to roam. While the Rams had a 30-21 edge in shots, few were uncontested, and Yarmouth goalie Nick Allen played superbly.

The Clippers didn’t look like a 4-7 team.

“I’ve got to say I’m proud of the way we’ve been building,” Yarmouth Coach David St. Pierre said. “Wins have been hard to come by but we’re getting better every game. That was a tough December but it’s helped us learn to compete.”

Kennebunk knew how to compete, bringing back most of the key players from a winning team last year. The Rams added foreign exchange student Jan Rutrle from the Czech Republic. He’s now their best scorer, mixing in well with a talented squad.

“I had great expectations coming into this year,” Smith said, “but we haven’t reached our potential.”

In Thursday’s game, Yarmouth took a 1-0 first-period lead despite Kennebunk outshooting the Clippers 11-7. Yarmouth got one power play and looked crisp with the advantage. Passes by Grant and Walter Conrad set up Cooper May’s wrister from the right circle for a score 11 seconds into the penalty, at 11:12.

Kennebunk came back early in the second. Bo Beveridge, who sat out the first period with a sore ankle, took a shot off the pipes. Rutrle was there for the rebound at 3:18. Pat Gassman got his first of two assists.

Tyler Hall put Yarmouth back ahead at 3:18 with a soft shot that bounced in.

Kennebunk tied the game on a power play in the third. With several Clippers poking at a loose puck, Beveridge scored at 6:03.

In overtime, Yarmouth’s Anders Newberg sent the puck into a crowd outside the Rams’ crease. Grant forced it in for the winner.

“I told them that this proved they can play with the No. 1 team,” St. Pierre said. “We just have to get in the playoffs and then every team is 0-0.”

Both teams next play Saturday. Yarmouth will play host to Gorham while Kennebunk visits Greely at the Family Ice Center in Falmouth. After Greely, the Rams will have a rematch with York next Wednesday at the University of New England.

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