The Maranacook/Hall-Dale/Winthrop co-operative team had a win and a loss last week.

Both helped the Hawks (6-3-0) make a statement in Eastern A.

First, they beat Cony 4-3 thanks to a hat trick by Dan Condon. Then the Hawks lost to perennial power St. Dominic 5-3 on Saturday.

“Yeah, absolutely,” MHW coach Andy Dube said when asked if he thought his team opened a few eyes last week. “It was a good week for us. It was a good win over Cony and we really challenged St. Dom’s. We gave them a good run for their money. It was nice to see.”

MHW is ranked second in Eastern A in Heal points, although Dube said he doesn’t worry too much about rankings with still half a season to play.

“It looks good for the Hawks to be at the top, but in the back of your mind you have to be real about it,” he said.

MHW’s top line — Condon, Matt Plourde and Jared Hanson — have led the way this season. The trio has combined for 22 goals and 27 assists for 49 points.

“They are producing,” Dube said. “They are really in tune with each other.”

• • •

The Maine Principals’ Association granted Gardiner and Cony permission to practice on Sundays this season after the teams were left homeless when the Kennebec Ice Arena collapsed last March.

The decision certainly helped both teams this winter. It also allowed Gardiner to quickly move on after that tough loss to Cony.

“You have to move on,” Gardiner coach Jeff Ross said. “You can’t dwell on it. It hurts to lose a game like this but by moving on quickly we can get everybody refocused.”

The Tigers (5-5-0) will next play at Western B contender Cape Elizabeth (4-2-2) at 4:15 p.m. Saturday.
• • •

Cony entered the season with plenty of optimism and expectations.

The Rams graduated just two starters, returned their top nine scorers and their starting goalie.
At the halfway point of its season, Cony looks like something it hasn’t been in years: An Eastern A playoff team.

“I think we are,” Cony coach Chad Foye said. “There are five or six teams fighting for spots and we are in that group.”

Bangor (6-1-0) and MHW are first and second, respectively, in Eastern A Heal points. Five teams separated by a mere eight points follow in the standings, including No. 7 Cony (5-3-0).

The Rams edged rival Gardiner 4-3 on Saturday to snap a two-game losing streak and stay in the hunt.

“It’s always good to play your rival,” Cony forward Austin Davis said after the game, “and to beat them is better. We were coming off two tough losses, so this was good. We felt pretty good to come in here and get a win. (Gardiner) is worth a lot of points.”

Cony returns when it plays Skowhegan at 1 p.m. Saturday at Sukee Arena.
• • •

Several hockey teams won’t play games this week because of exams.

Messalonskee coach Mike Latendresse says the week-long break from competition will allow his team to get some much-needed practices in.

“This is a big week for us,” Latendresse said. “We are preparing for the second half of the season. We will get four practices in. It’s rare you get to practice this much in a week during the season.”

The Eagles (6-1-0), who play Lawrence at 7:40 p.m. Saturday at Sukee Arena, are challenging Brewer (9-1-0) in Eastern B.

Latendresse said he plans to focus on special teams play this week.

“We’ve been OK on special teams, but we’ll have the opportunity to work on the power play and situational play. We want to add to what we’ve been doing already.”

• • •

When Messalonskee and Waterville played Jan. 10 at Alfond Rink, they raised money for breast cancer research. Part of the proceeds and the raffle went to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Augusta. 

The teams raised $410.

Bill Stewart — 621-5640
bstewart@centralmaine.com