BRIDGTON WINS FABELLO-POWELL CUP

Bridgton Academy and Hebron Academy faced off Thursday night with the famed Fabello-Powell Cup up for grabs. The cup goes to whichever rival school wins their annual hockey matchup. From the start of the game Hebron attacked relentlessly, utilizing speed and puck control. However, Chris Smith (Salem, MA)forced a neutral zone turnover, pass over to Thomas Paine(Superior, WI/Duluth Marshall HS) who immediately blasted a slap shot over the shoulder of the Hebron goalie. Not to be denied, Hebron came right back with two goals and a 2-1 lead. Steven Sisler (Plano, TX/Alliance Bulldogs)faced shot after shot, turning aside 12 shots in the first period.

The second period saw the Wolverines come out hungry and looking to carry the play. The Wolverines moved the puck more efficiently and improved their end zone defense. "The first period was not our best hockey. We played timid, slow and definitely turned the puck over too much", said Head Coach Jamie Printz. Eric Clemmenson (Farmington, CT/Tabor Academy) scored to tie the game with the assist going to Paine. Less than two minutes later, Matt Delgiudice (Oakland, ME/Messalonkee HS) and Sean Travis (Scituate, MA/Bridgton Academy) assisted on a slap shot from Quinn Junta (Reading, MA). The Wolverines out shot Hebron 9-7 and went into intermission with a 3-2 lead.

The third period was a classic hard nose battle. Both teams were extremely physical and worked hard along the boards. Hebron continued to press the attack and finally broke Sisler's wall to tie the game. The Wolverines answered right back when Travis won a battle in front and banged home a rebound. Both Delgiudice and Ben Pearl (Essex, VT) were brilliant along the boards in the offensive zone setting up Travis' goal. Once again, down one goal Hebron came storming back. They pressured over and over and knotted up the game at 4-4. With just under 5 minutes remaining, the Wolverines found themselves on the power play. Coach Printz wisely called a timeout to devise a plan for this important power play. The power play unit set up in the offensive zone, moving the puck around trying to find an opening to exploit. Paine took a feed from defenseman Alex Young(Lynnfield, MA) fired a low shot on net, which was redirected by Eric Seigel (Wilmington, MA) for the game winner.

This emotional and high spirited game went down to the final buzzer. Sisler preserved the win with 3 point blank saves in the final 5 seconds and finished the game with 31 saves. Captain Sean Travis, who is the only player in the history of Bridgton Academy Hockey to win the Fabello-Powell Cup two times, carried it back to Bridgton where it would stay for one more year.

Bridgton will travel to Springfield, MA to play two games against the Springfield Pics Saturday 615pm and Sunday 1030am.