This past Saturday January 12, 2013, at Sawyer Arena in Bangor, the Crusader Ice Hockey Team took on the undefeated Eagles from Messalonskee in Eastern Maine Class B action. It was a match-up of potential playoff foes as Messalonskee and John Bapst entered the game ranked #1 and #3 respectively.
Senior Jacob Fletcher scored the first two goals for the Crusaders in the first two periods, leaving the score knotted at 2. After falling behind 4-2 early in the third period, John Bapst responded, and Fletcher completed a “hat trick” by scoring his third goal of the night with 10:46 remaining. Fellow classmate Kurt Massey tallied the tying goal with a laser from the blue-line with just over 2 minutes to play.
Finally, and in dramatic fashion, Sophomore Joe Archambault scored the game-winner 4:59 into overtime. He redirected a centering pass from 20 feet away and slid it under goalie Ben Weeks’ pads and into the back of the net as the Crusaders of Bangor handed the Eagles of Oakland their first loss, and raised their own record to 6-3. Sophomores Josiah Simko, Ray Hummels, and Hunter Pate, along with Junior Ethan Handley had one assist apiece, and Senior goalie Jaron Leonard made 25 saves on 29 shots.
Messalonskee was not without individual standout efforts of their own as Jared Cunningham had a goal and an assist for Messalonskee (8-1), while Josh Towle, Cory Foye and Chase Cunningham each had a goal. Dom Dexter added two assists and Weeks made 24 saves on 29 shots.
The Crusaders will return to action on January 18 at Sawyer Arena when they take on the #6 ranked Hampden Academy Broncos.