Shaws lead ’Cat win
Sports Reporter
With two games remaining in the regular season, last night at Houlton and Friday at home against Hampden Academy, the Presque Isle Wildcats look like they are solidly entrenched as either the No. 2 or No. 3 team in the upcoming Eastern Maine Class B hockey playoffs. That means a bye into the semifinal round and a likely matchup against the Winslow Black Raiders.
The 13-3 Wildcats were back home Saturday and treated the big crowd at the Forum to a 9-3 victory over the Old Town Coyotes.
In the win, sophomore Connor Shaw was the scoring ace with four goals to his credit. After his older brother Brennen opened the game with a goal 4:02 into the first period, off assists by Derek Sczuroski and Caleb Buck, Old Town knotted the score before it was younger brother’s turn.
He slipped the puck inside the right post with 2:27 left in the first, off assists by his brother and Mitch Davis. That goal gave PI the lead for good.
Connor Shaw then converted early in the second period off assists by Davis and Jason Martin, before Brennen Shaw made it 4-1 off assists by Connor Shaw and Steve Ford.
“Playing with Connor is just awesome,” said Brennen Shaw. “He’s very skilled and probably is one of the smartest players on the team.”
Presque Isle then scored five times in the second, with Connor Shaw scoring twice and Zac Campbell, Jason Martin and Brennen Shaw adding one apiece.
Kate Campbell and Scott Rhynold picked up their first career points, while other assists in the periods went to Brennen Shaw (2), Isaac LaJoie, Adam Flynn, Davis, Martin, Jacob Buck and Sczuroski.
Presque Isle held a 48-10 shot advantage in the contest. Josh MacFarline and Nic Davis split the goalie chores in half.
“I think we are playing better and feeling more confident going into the playoffs,” said Brennen Shaw, comparing this season with last year at this time. “We have a better record and bigger wins against better teams this year.”
The Wildcats have beaten Class A Bangor and also have split their season series against current No. 3 team Winslow, while also shutting out No. 4 Lawrence and defeating No. 5 Houlton-Hodgdon in their earlier meeting.
Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphics
CHECK – Presque Isle defenseman Jason Martin, left, sends Old Town’s David Wilcox to the ice, as the Wildcats’ Jacob Buck scoops in to gain possession of the puck during Saturday’s game at the Forum. PI team improved to 13-3 overall with the 9-3 victory.
