WINSLOW — The Cony/Monmouth co-op boys hockey team has struggled to string together three full periods of strong play throughout the season and the same issue ultimately cost the Rams on Wednesday evening at Sukee Arena.

Winslow (8-3-0) took advantage of those momentary lapses from the Rams (3-6-0) and got a pair of goals eight seconds apart from Jimmy Fowler as the Black Raiders pulled away for a 5-1 victory.

“We’re still being inconsistent with everything — with effort, with puck control, decision making,” Rams coach Chad Foye said. “We have spurts of five or six minutes when we play well, and we have six or eight minutes where we don’t play as efficiently or play as well.

“It’s a real fine line between that, especially with effort. When you’re effort drops even the slightest bit it shows up.”

Through the first half of the opening period neither team could gain an advantage, but as the game clock ducked under seven minutes an opening emerged for the Black Raiders.

Cony/Monmouth was in the midst of a long shift and in need of a change when the Rams committed a turnover deep in their own zone. The ever-opportunistic Fowler was in perfect position to pick up the loose puck, fire an initial shot on Rams goaltender Dalton Bowie and ultimately clean up his own rebound with 6 minutes, 22 seconds remaining in the opening period.

It took just eight seconds for Fowler to find the back of the net again, as Jacob Trask picked up an assist on the play after the Black Raiders won the faceoff at center ice.

“We capitalized on a couple of plays,” Winslow coach Andy Dube said.

An inability to clear the puck out of their defensive zone would cost the Rams midway through the second as Winslow converted after a lengthy possession in the attacking zone. Dameron Rodrigue was credited with the goal off a shot from the point, although it appeared to have been tipped by Alex Berard on its way to the net to put Winslow ahead 3-0.

Cony/Monmouth managed to stay within striking distance following a penalty-filled exchange that eventually resulted in a 4-on-3 goal for Cam Wilson with 5:04 remaining in the second, but the Black Raiders made sure to close the door in the third.

Trask scored a breakaway goal over the right shoulder of Bowie 3:16 into the final period and added another score in similar fashion five minutes and 34 seconds later, this time streaking in from the left side to seal the Winslow win.

Andrew Beals turned in a strong performance in goal for the Black Raiders with 25 saves, while Bowie — starting in place of Tom Small — finished with 23 saves.

“Tom went home sick from school so he wasn’t available, but I thought Dalton did a great job,” Foye said. “His first varsity game he did a tremendous job. He kept the game close for us.”

As for Winslow, Dube was happy to pick up the win but still believes there is room for improvement with his squad.

“We’re a little let down right now. We’re not playing to our best potential,” Dube said. “We have to play better than how we played (Wednesday) if we’re going to have a hard, long run at the playoffs.”

Evan Crawley — 621-5640

ecrawley@mainetoday.com

Twitter: @Evan_Crawley

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