AUBURN — Falmouth started fast and held off Edward Little’s late charge in a boys hockey game at Norway Savings Bank Arena on Wednesday.
The Navigators, the top team in the Class A Heal points standings before the game, defeated the Red Eddies 3-2.
“We knew we would have our hands full, and we did,” Falmouth coach Deron Barton said. “They are a good team and I really like their team. Obviously they are well-coached, and we needed to play three periods of hockey to beat them.”
The Red Eddies (10-3) entered the game as the third-ranked team in the Heal points.
Edward Little coach Norm Gagne said after a slow start the Red Eddies played well in the final period.
“I am proud of the fact we made it a game in the third period,” Gagne said. “We went out there and did some of the things we needed to do earlier, which was to put a goal in. We were hitting pads, legs and everything else. We didn’t have it and not doing what we needed to do.”
Aaron Higgins, who lived in Lewiston until he was 12 years old, scored twice for the Navigators (12-2). He played for the Maine Nordiques Academy in Lewiston during the 2020-21 season, then moved to the Seacoast Performance Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, last season before playing high school hockey this season.
“It was an absolute battle,” Higgins said. “Two teams going at it and nothing more you can ask for. They are a great team; we are a great team. It’s what you live for.”
Andrew Belliveau scored off an offensive faceoff early in the first period, giving Falmouth a 1-0 lead. Andrew’s brother Sam won the draw and Andrew fired off a quick shot past Red Eddies goalie Gage Ducharme (16 saves).
Barton said it was a designed play.
“It has worked for us a couple of times this year, and it’s designed to get a quick goal,” Barton said.
Edward Little had a chance shortly after the goal when Campbell Cassidy skated to the net, but the puck rolled off his stick right before he was ready to shoot.
The Navigators kept the puck in the offensive zone for much of the first period but couldn’t get the puck past Ducharme for the remainder of the stanza.
The Red Eddies had a shot go wide of Falmouth goalie Brandon While at the end of the first period.
Edward Little sustained early pressure in the second period but didn’t have any high-quality scoring chances.
Higgins scored as he was failing to the ice 9:17 into the middle frame, giving the Navigators a 2-0 lead.
“I did see a little hole. I bent my knees and drove the puck into the net,” Higgins said. “When it went into the back of the net, it was a good feeling.”
Higgins opened the third period netting his second tally. Mitch Ham had the assist.
“Mitchell Ham is a great player and he put the puck in the right spot,” Higgins said. “I beat the (defenseman) and I saw the five-hole and finished. It was a great feeling.”
Hayden Brown had a partial breakaway for the Red Eddies, but White stopped the shot.
Edward Little defenseman Brody Keefe launched a pass into the air and it fell right to Cassidy in the neutral zone. Cassidy went into the offensive zone all alone and roofed the puck past White midway through the third period.
Cassidy got the Red Eddies in striking distance off a line change when Keefe once again found him in the neutral zone with a pass. Cassidy found the back of the net again with about two minutes remaining in the game.
The Red Eddies peppered White in the final two minutes and White stopped Andrew Clements at the buzzer for his 14th and final save of the game.
“It’s a learning experience for our team, and hopefully, we will bounce back on Saturday,” Gagne said.
The Red Eddies take on Biddeford/Old Orchard Beach/Massabesic on Saturday.
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