Scarborough’s Gwen Diaz moves the puck out of harm’s way during the Red Storm’s agonizing 3-2 double-overtime loss to Cheverus/Kennebunk in last week’s South Region Final.

The girls’ hockey story was one of heartache last week, while the boys’ story is one of optimism as the postseason dawns.

So close

Scarborough’s girls’ squad, ranked second in the South Region after a terrific 13-4-1 regular season, dispatched No. 3 Falmouth, 5-2, in the semifinals and last Thursday, the Red Storm traveled to the Colisee in Lewiston to meet top-ranked Cheverus/Kennebunk in the regional final.

It turned into an epic, with an agonizing ending.

Scarborough, which was blanked twice by Cheverus/Kennebunk in the regular season, took the lead on Calynn Gendreau’s rebound goal in the second period. Ashlynn Libby then scored for a 2-0 lead after two periods, but in the third, the Red Storm had to play short-handed and Cheverus/Kennebunk tied things up.

“We know going into the third period that we couldn’t let up but, penalties,” Scarborough coach Caitlin Jordan said. “It came down to power plays and penalty kills. That’s what got us.”

The game would go to overtime, where the Red Storm had a chance to win it on the power play, but couldn’t convert.

Then, 2:53 into OT, Cheverus/Kennebunk got the winner and prevailed, 3-2, ending Scarborough’s season at 14-5-1.

Ariella Swett made 27 saves in a valiant effort in goal.

“(The girls) can hold their heads high because they played incredibly,” Jordan said.

High hopes

On the boys’ side, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough and the South Portland/Freeport/Waynflete co-op team will all enter next week’s playoffs confident.

In Class B South, Cape Elizabeth finished 13-5 and will be the No. 2 seed behind defending regional champion Greely after closing with a 4-2 home win over Brunswick, a 3-1 home loss to Greely and a 7-1 victory at Yarmouth. Against the Dragons, Matt Laughlin scored twice. John Pellechia had the goal in the loss. In the win over the Clippers, Andrew Carroll, Phil Tarling and Jackson Woods all had two goals.

The Capers will host a quarterfinal round game against the yet-to-be-determined No. 7 seed next week.

In Class A South, South Portland/Freeport/Waynflete was ranked fourth at press time at 9-8 following losses last week at home to Biddeford (5-3) and at Scarborough (3-1). The squad closed at Massabesic/Old Orchard Beach/Bonny Eagle Thursday and could wind up anywhere from third to fifth in the region, meaning it could host or travel in next week’s quarterfinals.

Scarborough was 9-7-1 and fifth following Saturday’s 3-1 home victory over South Portland/Freeport/Waynflete and Monday’s 3-1 home loss to Portland/Deering. The Red Storm finished the regular season at Portland/Deering Thursday. Scarborough’s playoff seeding was uncertain at press time, but it will compete in a quarterfinal next week.

Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.