The Yarmouth Clippers laced them up on Monday (2/17) against the Cheverus Stags. The game, which had been rescheduled from earlier in the season, was played at the Troubh Ice Arena in Portland. Cheverus was the 2nd place team in Class B South and the Clippers were in 3rd. Yarmouth was looking for the win to help secure their ranking for the upcoming playoffs.
The first period was filled with well-played, back-and-forth hockey. Each team had their chances, but neither one was putting points up due to some great performances between the pipes. Eventually, at the 13:55 mark, Cheverus scored on an odd-man rush. The score was 1-0. A bit stunned, Yarmouth hoped to escape the first, down by one as the final minute ticked down. Unfortunately, the Stags broke free on a rush, carved through the Clipper defense and popped another in, 42 seconds later. Yarmouth had been caught on their heels and the period ended 2-0 in favor of Cheverus. Shots for the period were 5 for the Clippers, 13 for the Stags.
Part way through the 2nd period, Yarmouth was on the power play when Will Giese and Cam Miller moved the puck to the slot where Matthew Robichaud finished the deal and brought the Clippers within one. It was 2-1 with just over 6 minutes to play in the period. Yarmouth continued to be in control, but could not find the back of the net in the remaining time. The Clippers had turned things around and outshot Cheverus 10 to 2.
With the score tight at 2-1, the third period began with Yarmouth applying a similar dose of pressure on their opponent as they had done in the second. Yarmouth had their chances. At one point they found themselves with a 2-man advantage for almost two minutes due to interference and tripping penalties called on Cheverus. Unfortunately, for the boys in blue, they lacked the precise shots needed on net to even the score. The door stayed shut and Cheverus preserved their one goal lead. A frustrated Yarmouth continued their efforts to the end. An open net goal for Cheverus with 32 seconds remaining sealed Yarmouth’s fate. Game over, 3-1 Cheverus. Yarmouth, once again, outshot Cheverus for the period 14 to 8.
Yarmouth wraps up its regular season with one more home game on Wednesday (2/19) at 7pm at Travis Roy Arena versus Poland/Leavitt/Oak Hill/Gray New Gloucester. The Clippers hope to spark their winning ways once again before the playoffs start the week of February 25th.
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