The Messalonskee High School Eagles lost five regular season hockey games this season.
That’s four more than they lost the previous two seasons combined as they went 41-1 and marched to back-to-back state Class B hockey championships.
But coach Joe Hague’s 13-5-2 Eagles, the third seed, are back in the regional final where they will take on top seed Waterville, 17-1-1, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Alfond Arena on the University of Maine’s campus in Orono.
Coach Dennis Martin’s Panthers, whose only loss came at the hands of Class A North finalist Lewiston, swept the Eagles in their two regular season games 6-5 and 7-2.
The victor will take on the winner of Wednesday night’s Class B South title game between No. 2 Gardiner, 15-4-1, and top seed Yarmouth (15-4) in Saturday’s 1 p.m. state final at The Colisee in Lewiston. Yarmouth beat Gardiner 2-0 in a mutual season-opener on Dec. 5.
In the Class A matchups, archrivals Lewiston (15-2-2) and St. Dominic Academy of Auburn, 11-7-1, will square off at The Colisee at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the North final. Lewiston is the top seed and St. Dom’s is the No. 2 seed. That will follow the 6 p.m. Class A South final between defending state champ and top seed Scarborough (15-2-3) and No. 2 Falmouth (16-4).
The two winners will meet for the state crown at 6 p.m. Saturday at The Colisee.
Lewiston swept the Saints 6-1 and 3-2, while Scarborough and Falmouth split their regular season meetings.
Waterville used goals by Nick Denis and Justin Wentworth and 16 saves from Justin Pinnette to eliminate Winslow in the semifinals. Michael Oliveira and defenseman Adam Roderigue had assists as Waterville unleashed a 50-shot barrage.
High-scoring linemates Brandon Nale and Jared Cunningham led Messalonskee past Camden Hills 3-1 in their semifinal as Nale scored twice and Cunningham assisted on both and also scored a goal. Freshman Amber Kochevar made 32 stops.
Lewiston received a hat trick from Alex Rivet to beat Bangor 6-3 in their semifinal and Gavin Bates had a pair of goals to lead St. Dominic Academy past Edward Little 4-1.