PORTLAND — Yarmouth/Freeport faced off against a Portland/Deering team hungry to stay in the girls high school playoff picture.
The Clippers were looking to get back on track from a two-game skid, while Portland/Deering was on a five-game slide heading into Wednesday’s contest at William B. Troubh Ice Arena. The extra motivation resulted in a game that saw each team rally from a two-goal deficit, with the Bulldogs ultimately coming out on top, 7-5.
The Bulldogs looked the part of a team that wanted to climb into the sixth and final South playoff spot in the game’s opening minutes. Pressure in the Clippers zone resulted in Margaret Smith finding Lucy Howe at the back post for a tap-in goal 2:55 into the first period.
Portland/Deering sustained pressure and struck again just over a minute later. Emily Demers took a feed from Olivia Ives and lifted the puck over Yarmouth/Freeport goaltender Allie Perrotta for the 2-0 lead.
“They’re fighting for a playoff spot,” said Clippers coach Megan Vaughn. “They definitely came out determined and started to play.”
Olivia Bradford nearly had a quick response from the Clippers, as she snuck in behind the Bulldog defense for a breakaway, but the shot was covered by goaltender Christiana Gannon.
Yarmouth/Freeport broke through midway through the period, as Hannah Swift danced around a defender and buried a wrist shot to pull the Clippers within a goal.
Yarmouth/Freeport then tied the game with 1:18 remaining in the first as Lizzie Guertler swept home a Lilly Weinrich rebound.
“Once we settled down and realized we’re just as strong as they were they started to put the puck in the net,” said Vaughn.
The Clippers continued to find the back of the net to start the second period. Weinrich picked off a pass in the neutral zone and beat Gannon low for a 3-2 lead 1:17 into the period. Yarmouth/Freeport added to the lead on the power play. Kyaira Grondin stopped a Bulldog clearing attempt at the point and sent home a shot through a screen to make it 4-2.
Next it was the Bulldogs turn to rally.
“It’s been awhile since we’ve played from ahead,” said Bulldogs coach Tom Clifford. “I think it was good for the girls to do it, but I’m more impressed with the fight and the resolve we had to come back once they made it 2-2 and then we went down.”
The duo of Demers and Caroline Lerch pulled Portland/Deering back into the game. Lerch found Demers open in the slot for a shot over the shoulder of Perrotta, pulling the Bulldogs back within one.
Demers added another 51 seconds later, scoring from almost an identical spot after a feed from Lerch to tie the game, 4-4.
“They’re obviously two very talented young ladies,” said Clifford. “Tonight was one of the first times they consistently used each other and moved the puck. Everyone saw the results.”
Portand/Deering took the lead with a shorthanded goal. Lerch picked up a turnover behind the Clippers goal and tucked it inside the post to give the Bulldogs a 5-4 lead after two periods.
The Bulldogs extended the lead 2:59 into the third period. Inez Braceras’ shot from the blue line was deflected and bounced in to give Portland/Deering a 6-4 lead.
The Clippers made it interesting late when Margaret Perrotta knocked in a shot from a scramble in front with 5:03 remaining.
But, Lerch again responded for Portland/Deering, taking a pass from Demers and placing the puck under the bar to give the Bulldogs the 7-5 lead.
Portland/Deering limited the Clippers’ chances in the third, and Gannon stopped six of the seven shots she faced.
“They did a good job,” said Vaughn. “They knew some of our weaknesses and took advantage of them.”
Yarmouth/Freeport fell to 9-6 and will look to bounce back against Mt. Ararat/Morse Friday at Sidney J. Watson Arena in Brunswick.
Perrotta made 18 saves in net for the Clippers, while Gannon made 19 stops. Portland/Deering improved to 4-11.
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