Class A
There shouldn’t be much in the way of surprises as you glance through the Class A docket this playoff season. Skowhegan and Messalonskee split games in the regular season and are atop the Class A North standings, while Scarborough with one loss and Massabesic with two stand atop the Class A South bracket. Sound familiar?
It should.
The wild card in A North always seems to be Mt. Blue. The Cougars are a solid No. 3 this season, and they do own a win over Messalonskee, but also two losses to the Indians. It takes something special for anyone to solve Skowhegan, and it’s especially tough for the teams in the 2-3 positions because they have to battle each other first to reach that final. And while it may seem presumtuous to think the Indians are already into the final, consider this: Their combined scores in three games against two potential semifinal opponents is 18-0.
Edward Little squeaked into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, and faces the tall task of being Skowhegan’s quarterfinal opponent. Mt. Blue will host Bangor in the 3-6 matchup.
In the South, Cheverus handed Scarborough its lone loss, and sits in the No. 3 position, while Biddeford is holding in at No. 4, with only losses to Cheverus and Massabesic on its record.
Class B
As always, Class B North was a dogfight all season long. Exacerbating that conundrum is a schedule in which many top teams don’t face one another during the regular season. Winslow, always a contender, is once again unbeaten. The Black Raiders haven’t been as flashy as in year’s past, but they’ve been efficient, scoring wins over No. 2 Belfast and No. 3 MCI. Potential semifinal opponent and perennial rival Gardiner, the No. 4 seed, however, was not on their schedule. Consider Winslow the favorite there.
Meanwhile, in B South, the region is still going to go through York, but for the first time in a long while, the Wildcats look at least a little bit beatable. Their incredible win streak over, the Wildcats are intent on starting a new one, and are still the No. 1 seed.
Yarmouth, which earned a tie against York, holds down the No. 2 position, edging No. 3 Poland in the Heal standings despite losing to the Knights in the season’s final game. The Knights are the highest seed they’ve ever been, but will need to face familiar foe Greely in a tough quarterfinal.
Freeport and Lake Region will battle as the 4-5 matchup, while Leavitt — which plays a tough B North schedule — slots in at No. 7. The Hornets always play their best in the playoffs, and have the solid goaltending and big-play ability to give Yarmouth fits in the 2-7 quarterfinal. Fryeburg is the No. 8 and will face York.
Class C
Two area teams were among the four most dominant in Class C this season, but only one of those is in Class C South. St. Dominic Academy is on pace to break the single-season goal-scoring mark as a team, with 130 scored in the regular season, and the potential of four more games on the horizon. The team’s dynamic offense is matched by a stalwart defense that has, along with keeper Abby Slonina, allowed just five goals in 14 games. In 10 of those games, Slonina didn’t face a shot. The Saints will face No. 8 Lisbon in a quarterfinal after the Greyhounds upended Traip in a prelim this weekend.
Spruce Mountain, back in the MVC and now in Class C, navigated a tough schedule to finish second in C South and will host MVC rival Oak Hill in a 2-7 quarterfinal. The Phoenix are on coaching team No. 2 this season, and are hitting their stride at the right time. They’ve won five in a row, including a big one against North No. 3 Boothbay. Mountain Valley slots in at No. 6 and will head to Sacopee Valley, while No. 4 Dirigo will host NYA in their quarterfinal matchup.
In C North, Winthrop is the favorite in a tough region, though neither Dexter nor Boothbay would be surprise regional champs. The Seahawks handed the Ramblers their one loss this season, and the Tigers play a tough-as-nails Northern B/C schedule. Their lone two losses are both to unbeaten B North favorite Winslow.
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