Some call it spurtability. Others call it the ability to score in a dizzying flurry. Whatever you call it, Deering showed it off Tuesday night.

The Rams used two separate runs of five straight goals in an 18-9 victory against Portland at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

It took some time for the Rams to start taking control. The game began cautiously, with Portland goalie T.J. Quinn (nine saves) and Deering goalie Tanner Nussinow (11 saves) dominating.

Deering attacker Nick James scored first, firing past Quinn’s left shoulder with 4:23 remaining in the first period. The Bulldogs tied it late in the quarter with a man-up goal by Tristan Arcand, but fell behind for good with 10 seconds left in the period when Jacob Tosi scored a goal for Deering.

Tosi’s goal started the Rams’ first massive run, scoring the first four goals of the second quarter.

Deering’s sixth goal, from Jonah Peterson, came eight seconds after Zach Harvey made it 5-1.

James explained how the Rams’ aggressive mentality allowed them to seize the momentum.

“We kept it in our heads that we needed to get one more after we scored a goal,” James said, “and we focused on winning those ground balls off the faceoff, and then we wanted to just get it and go.”

Portland managed to stop the Rams’ surge and pulled within 6-3 at halftime thanks to goals from Reilly O’Brien and Wes Bryan, who each finished with two.

Though the Bulldogs kept close for most of the third quarter, James initiated Deering’s second run of five consecutive goals, dodging a defender and scoring from distance to put the Rams ahead 9-5 with 2:53 remaining in the period.

By the time Peterson scored in transition nine seconds into the fourth quarter, Deering held a 13-5 advantage and a comfortable grip on the game.

Peterson and James both scored a team-high four goals for the Rams.

Deering Coach Jon Dubois was pleased with the team’s second-half effort.

“We cleaned a few things up at halftime,” Dubois said. “We just talked about running our offense the right way and being in the right positions on defense, and we really clicked a lot better in the second half.”

One impressive element of Deering’s play was its offensive balance. While the team has several predatory finishers, the players don’t mind sharing the goals.

Eight players scored for the Rams.

“I’m just looking to either put it in the back of the net or give it to someone who will,” said James. “As long as we’re moving the ball around and scoring goals, that’s great.”

Deering improved to 3-1 thisseason and Portland dropped to 2-3.

Portland will look to end its two-game losing streak Thursday at Scarborough.

Deering is next in action Friday at home against Thornton Academy.

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