WATERVILLE — The Waterville hockey team has compiled a season’s worth of statistics in its first five games.
The defending Class B state champion Purple Panthers knocked off rival Winslow 14-1 Tuesday afternoon at Colby College’s Alfond Rink and so far have outscored opponents 52-6. That total includes nine short-handed goals, four of which were scored at Winslow’s expense.
This one didn’t figure to be close. Waterville returns 17 players from the team that beat Yarmouth 3-2 in double overtime for the state title. They’ve already beaten Yarmouth 5-0 this season and have yet to be challenged.
“We were good last year, but everyone got bigger and better and stronger,” senior defenseman Andrew Roderigue said. “A lot of chemistry.”
The only drama in the early going was when Roderigue would break the school scoring record for defensemen of 105 points shared by Josh and Chad Hart. He did it in the first 23 seconds, assisting on Justin Wentworth’s goal. Roderigue, who set single season marks in goals (29) and assists (49) for defensemen last year, finished the game with three goals and three assists.
Roderigue teams with fellow co-captain Matt Joliceour on the blue line while the combination of Chase Wheeler and Zach Smith also returns on defense.
“All these pairs have played together for three years,” Waterville coach Dennis Martin said.
This combination, along with the first two forward lines returning intact, overwhelmed the young, inexperienced Black Raiders who graduated seven players from last season’s tournament team.
“It’s going to be a long season,” first-year coach David Leach said.
While the Raiders have just one senior on their roster, the Purple Panther return 10. First-line center Wentworth scored three of his four goals in the first period alone as Waterville took a 7-1 lead. The Purple Panthers outshot the Raiders 34-2 in the first period and 74-12 for the game, the third period which was playing in running time.
“We always come out and play every game,” said Martin, who substituted liberally over the second half of the contest. “You can’t go into games thinking its over before you start.”
Winslow sophomore goalie Ben Grenier, who was a backup last year, made 60 saves, several from point blank range. Sophomore Tommy Tibbetts scored for the Black Raiders late in the first period when he stole a pass and tucked the puck past Waterville goalie Nathan Pinnette (11 saves).
Wheeler, Anthony Pinnette, Zach Smith, Jackson Aldrich, Zach Menoudarakos, Joliceouor and Tyler Dunn all scored goals for Waterville.
“We’ve got to realize that there’s better teams out there,” Roderigue said. “We’ve got to set the bar high.”
Winslow junior Tyler Martin sustained a head injury late in the game after a check into the boards that resulted in a five-minute roughing penalty. He was removed from the ice on a stretcher and taken to the hospital. There was no available update on his status.
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