It’s the new year, so the high school hockey playoffs are now in sight. Girls teams are officially past the midway point, and boys teams are getting back to a consistent schedule.

Here are three storylines to keep an eye on this week.

RED HORNETS ON RED HOT STREAK

After knocking off Yarmouth/Freeport — the last unbeaten girls hockey team in Maine — on Saturday, Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland has the state’s longest winning streak at five games.

The Clippers (10-1-1, first in North Heal points) took an early lead, but the Red Hornets (9-1, second in North Heal points) used their potent offense to take control in the second and third periods and earn a 4-1 win.

The Red Hornets, who are ranked No. 1 in the Varsity Maine poll, lead the North in goals per game (5.7) and haven’t scored fewer than four goals during their winning streak. Sophomore forward Leksi Langevin leads the state in goals (19) and points (28), while junior forward Kylie Dulac leads in assists (16) and is tied for third in points (24).

The defense is just as strong. Paige Fecteau, a sophomore, has allowed only five goals this season and has the state’s best save percentage (.968) among goalies who have faced at least 100 shots.

The Red Hornets hope to continue their strong play against fifth-ranked Brunswick (6-5) twice this week, first at Norway Savings Bank Arena on Wednesday evening, and again Saturday night at Watson Arena.

BATTLE OF THE 2025 CHAMPIONS

The top two teams in the Class A boys hockey Heal point standings and the Varsity Maine poll, Thornton Academy (6-1) and Cheverus/Yarmouth (5-1), will square off Saturday at Travis Roy Arena.

The Golden Trojans, the defending Class A champions, and Cheverus/Yarmouth, winner of the past two Class B championships, are both on five-game winning streaks. Thornton will try to extend its streak to six against Falmouth on Thursday, while Cheverus/Yarmouth faces the Windham co-op on Wednesday.

Thornton senior forward Jake Skillings leads Class A in points (23) and assists (14), while senior forward Trent Lesieur leads the team with 11 goals. Cole Fernald stepped into net after 2025 Travis Roy Award winner Drew Johnson graduated, and the junior has consistently thwarted opposing shooters, posting a 1.42 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.

Cheverus/Yarmouth has used a trio of goalies, with senior Ashton Additon (.981 save percentage in three games), a St. Dominic Academy transfer, recording shutouts in his last two starts, including a win over Edward Little on Saturday. Senior forwards Hakon Yeo and Ben Dumais each have 10 points. Yeo leads the team in goals (five), and Dumais, another former St. Dom’s player, has the most assists (seven).

Whoever wins Saturday will get a large boost in the Heal point standings. Thornton is in first place and Cheverus/Yarmouth is in second. The two teams will meet again on Feb. 5.

CHEVERUS GIRLS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

When the Cheverus/Windham/Medomak Valley girls hockey team narrowly lost to Yarmouth/Freeport on Dec. 22, the three-time defending state champion fell to 4-2-2. Coach Scott Rousseau put the first half of the season into perspective by saying his team was ahead of schedule, given the loss of three Varsity Maine All-State players and a majority of its offensive production.

Defense and the goaltending of Ellie Skolnekovich, another All-Stater, have been the team’s strength all year, as shown over the holiday break with shutouts against the Biddeford co-op, Falmouth/Scarborough and Lewiston. The offense contributed as well after struggling in early December, outscoring opponents 15-0 over the past three games, with seven players scoring goals.

Freshman forward Logan Curry leads the South in goals (14) and has five in the past three games. Senior captain Joey Pompeo contributed two goals and two assists. Pompeo and Curry each have 16 points.

Cheverus (7-2-2), ranked third in the Varsity Maine poll, hosts the Portland co-op (5-5) on Thursday afternoon and the Gorham co-op (5-5) on Saturday night. The latter matchup should give Rousseau another measuring stick to see how his team has progressed since an 8-1 season-opening win over the Rams.