EL/Leavitt’s Taylor Cailler takes a shot on Saint Dominic Academy goalie Madyson Boulet during Wednesday night’s game at the Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)

AUBURN — The Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland Red Hornets win over St. Dom’s on Wednesday night might be huge come playoff time.

The Saints were shorthanded, playing with only nine available skaters and one goalie, and the Red Hornets took advantage in a 5-2 victory at Norway Savings Bank Arena. St. Dom’s was without seniors Avery Lutrzkowski, Emma Theriault and Alexandra Hammerton, who missed the game for various reasons.

Red Hornets coach Dana Berube said it wasn’t lost his team when it saw the Saints three best players were out of the lineup. He credits the Red Hornets’ strong start to the game for the victory.

“Anytime you have a rivalry game, you want to get off to a good start,” Berube said. “I didn’t like our second period, but like how we responded in the third.”

After dominating the first six minutes of the contest, the Red Hornets finally capitalized when Isabella Berube skated around the net and found Caroline Tracy in the slot for a 1-0 lead at the 6:17 mark of the opening period.

The lead didn’t last long. St. Dom’s freshman Isabella Webster skated into the offensive zone down the right boards, and when she crossed the blue line she dumped the puck on net and it fluttered past Miranda Guimond 28 seconds after Tracy’s goal.

Guimond said after the game that she was too deep in her net.

“Hockey can change very quickly, you have to keep your emotions in check and not get too high or too low,” Berube said.

After the Red Hornets (2-0) killed off a penalty, they picked up their second lead of the period when Sophia Hartley put home the puck with 1:47 remaining in the period. EL/Leavitt/Poland carried the momentum early in the second period and added to its lead when Taylor Cailler found Brianna Doucette for a 3-1 lead at the 2:36 mark.

“I always look at the front of the net to see who’s open,” Cailler said. “If I see an open (lane), I just pass it or wait for an one-time (opportunity).”

Guimond made a breakaway save just prior to the four-minute mark on Emma Roy to keep the lead at two. She made a similar stop in the first period.

Play was choppy play for the remainder of the second period as the Saints went on the power play four times in the middle frame and the Red Hornets had two power plays. However, neither team converted on its chances in the period or the game. The Saints went 0-for-6 while the Red Hornets went 0-for-4.

Saints coach Paul Gosselin thought his players did their best playing in an unfamiliar situation on the power play.

“What you saw is a lot of younger players who haven’t had the experience playing (on the power play),” Gosselin said. “I do commend them on their character; they didn’t stop working, they logged a lot of hours (in practice). I am proud of them.”

The Saints (0-1) capitalized on another Guimond mistake 30 seconds into the third period. Roy used her speed on the fresh ice to get around the Red Hornets defense and fired a shot into Guimond’s gut. Guimond was slightly off her post and the momentum of making what seemed like a harmless save carried her across the goal line.

Addie Suckow assisted on both Saints goals.

The Red Hornets put pressure on St. Dom’s goalie Madyson Boulet in the first five minutes of the third period. Boulet made seven saves in that stretch, but she started to wear down.

“I was hoping to keep it even after two and let the floodgates open and see what happens,” Gosselin said. “They got a couple bounces their way. It was what it was.”

Berube picked up her second assist of the contest when she found Caroline Audette in front of the net for a 5-2 lead. Cailler stretched the lead to 5-2 with 2:52 remaining in the period, her third point of the evening.

Boulet made 34 saves in the losing effort, while Guimond made nine saves in the win.

EL/Leavitt’s Taylor Cailler takes a shot on Saint Dominic Academy Madyson Boulet goalie during Wednesday night’s game at the Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)

Saint Dominic Academy’s Gisele Ouellette takes a shot on goal while being defended by EL/Leavitt’s Caroline Audette during Wednesday’s game in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)

Saint Dominic Academy’s Gisele Ouellette skates behind her goal and away from EL/Leavitt’s Caroline Audette during Wednesday’s game in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)

EL/Leavitt’s Sophia Hartley, right, makes a centering pass to teammate Taylor Cailler during Wednesday’s game in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)