PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Houlton/Hodgdon jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the first period with goals by Alex Wilde and Josh Malone and added to the lead with a short-handed goal late in the second period en route to a 3-1 victory at the Forum Monday.
It was the first home loss of the season for PI after three earlier victories. The team is now 3-5 overall heading into another home game Thursday against Old Town/Orono.
Connor DeMerchant finished a pass from Denny Young late in the second period for PI’s only goal. Ian Neureuther saw 22 shots in goal for Houlton, while Andre Daigle faced 29 for the Wildcats.
“We got outhustled early in the first period and they jumped ahead,” said PI coach Carl Flynn. “We fought back hard but the puck just didn’t bounce our way.”
The Wildcats skated past the John Bapst Crusaders at home on Friday, 6-2, with junior Isaac Madore picking up the first two goals of his career and sophomore Thomas Patenaude also scoring twice.
Young had a pair of assists to go along with a goal and DeMerchant netted a goal. Jake Stevens also nabbed two assists for the winners.
Daigle and Bryce Bonville shared the goaltending chores for Presque Isle and combined for 17 saves. Presque Isle took 35 shots on Bapst goalie Dan Sprague.
“It was a true team effort,” said Flynn of the win.
