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AUBURN — Falmouth boys hockey coach Hogan Tracy said part of his team’s game plan is getting off to a fast start.
That’s exactly what the Navigators did Wednesday, attacking aggressively to produce two first-period goals in a 3-1 win over Edward Little at Norway Savings Bank Arena.
A goal by freshman Joe Graceffa gave the Navigators (7-4) a 1-0 lead not even four minutes into the game. Michael Geoghan, a sophomore, made it 2-0 late in the first period.
The Red Eddies (8-5) had their chances, skating into open ice at different points in the game. But Falmouth sophomore Harrison Rana put together a dominant outing in net, allowing just one goal and turning aside 16 shots.
“I really felt focused definitely in the first period,” Rana said. “Second period, I didn’t see many shots. Third period, it was a tricky one that went in, but our team definitely locked in and we definitely focused it up.”
Edward Little coach Kevin Smith said following Saturday’s loss to rival Lewiston that he wanted the Red Eddies to move on from the setback and “keep our foot on the gas going forward and not open the door and give them opportunities to get some life.”
Edward Little was playing catchup almost from the start, however. A goal 30 seconds into the third period gave the Red Eddies some life, but they couldn’t produce a tying goal.
Another Falmouth freshman, Zach Brown, clinched the victory when he scored with less than three minutes remaining.
It was a third straight win for the Navigators, who entered the game ranked sixth in the Class A Heal point standings. Edward Little was ranked fourth.
“The start of the season was a little rocky, and I think we’re getting back to playing the way we want to play,” Tracy said. “It would’ve been nice to add on to a two-goal lead we got early, but we’ll take it. The kids battled hard and (Edward Little’s) got a good team this year.”
The Navigators are off until next Wednesday, when they take on the Bangor co-op.
Edward Little hosts Thornton Academy, the No. 1 team in the Varsity Maine poll, on Saturday.