WINSLOW — Matt Brooks scored in the second period and Blake Alexander posted the shutout behind a strong defense Tuesday as fifth-seeded Brunswick shut out fourth-seeded Lawrence/Skowhegan 1-0 in an Eastern Class A schoolboy hockey quarterfinal.
The Dragons (10-7-2) will meet top-seeded Bangor (15-3) in a semifinal Saturday at Lewiston.
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Alexander posted 25 saves. Sam Edmondson had 30 saves for Lawrence/Skowhegan (12-7).
“It’s really tough,” Lawrence/Skowhegan Coach Ted Fabian said. “It’s tough because of the season we had. We were clicking.
“We didn’t quit. It was a great season. We came together as two communities. It’s just tough to have it end.”
The evenly matched teams had ample chances, but the game remained scoreless until Brooks beat Edmondson with 3:37 left in the second period.
Tyler Sullivan, stationed to the right of the net, chipped the puck to Brooks, who cut across the low slot and tucked the puck into the back of the net.
“(Sullivan) picked up the puck and I called for it,” Brooks said. “I was on the left side, and when I got the puck I made a little move and shot it to the far side.”
Alexander and the Brunswick defense did the rest, silencing Lawrence/Skowhegan the rest of the way.
“It was a classic playoff game,” Brunswick Coach Mike Routhier said. “We came out gung-ho and so did they. I think our experience was a factor, though. We have a lot of mileage on this team.”
Lawrence/Skowhegan had a few chances to pull even in the final five minutes, but Alexander came up with a few big saves.
The teams played at a frantic pace in the opening period, particularly in a wild final six minutes.
But the game stayed scoreless thanks to both goaltenders.
Alexander stoned Trey Michonski with a chest save with 5:38 left in the period.
Michonski took a pass from Nelson at the offensive blue line, circled down the left side and ripped a shot that was headed to the far post.
But Alexander slid across the crease to make the stop.
“We had our chances,” Fabian said. “We just couldn’t capitalize. We just couldn’t get that one bounce.”
About a minute later Edmondson came up with a big save on Ryan Maciejewski, whose one-timer from the low slot appeared headed for the back of the net.
Edmondson then stopped Maciejewski again, this time on a mini two-on-one rush with 3:32 left in the period.
“We gave it everything we had,” Fabian said. “All game long we had our chances, but we just couldn’t get one in. It was tough.”
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