By ROB JONAS

DELMAR – Michael Bievenue continues to be an unstoppable force of nature for the Bethlehem hockey team.

The junior recorded his fourth hat trick in his last five games and his seventh of the season in the Eagles 5-1 victory over Christian Brothers Academy Friday, Jan. 25, on “Big Orange Freakout” night at the Bethlehem Area YMCA.

“My linemates have been incredible,” said Bievenue, who leads the Capital District High School Hockey League with 31 goals and 52 points. “They helped me get these hat tricks. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

“Bievenue has by far is very talented with a very good work ethic, and when he combines that with his effort, it’s a sight to see,” said Bethlehem head coach Dylan Lappe. “I’m blessed to have him for another year.”

Bievenue got Bethlehem (9-2-0 league, 14-2-0 overall) on the scoreboard early in the first period with a power play goal. Justin Chenaille’s original shot was stopped by CBA goaltender Josh Coburn, but Bievenue was positioned perfectly between the face-off cicles to rifle home the rebound for a 1-0 lead.

Bethlehem fished for a couple more goals while killing penalties in the first period. Chenaille poke-checked the puck away from a CBA player and had an open shot on goal that Coburn knocked aside. Later on, Carroll stole the puck and skated in on Coburn, but the junior stopped that shot to keep the score 1-0 going into the first intermission.

CBA (6-5-0, 8-7-0) thought it had the tying goal early in the second period, but the referee quickly waved it off. That came back to haunt the Brothers, as Bievenue and Chenaille scored goals 59 seconds apart – the second of which came on another shorthanded bid – to give Bethlehem a 3-0 advantage.

“That was deflating for us,” said CBA head coach Blaine Drescher. “We had opportunities.”

Coburn continued to make save after save for CBA – 41 in all – but he couldn’t bail out the Brothers all night. Ben LaVigne tallied with 1:05 left in the second period to put Bethlehem in front 4-0, and Bievenue struck for his third goal of the night with 4:55 remaining in the third period.

“He’s played great all season for us, and it showed in some of those saves he had for us,” said Drescher.

CBA’s offense had a difficult time getting anything going against the aggressive forechecking of Bethlehem. After lodging 10 shots on goal in the first period, the Brothers managed only 13 shots between the second and third periods, despite having several power plays. Hunter Pemrick notched their lone goal early in the third period.

“From watching CBA play Burnt Hills/Ballston Spa [Jan. 21], I was able to formulate a game plan and implement it during the week,” said Lappe.

Goalie Michael Kurdziolek had 22 saves for Bethlehem, which is two standings points clear of Albany Academy and Queensbury in the battle for the CDHSHL lead.

“I feel like this is the first time we’ve played Bethlehem hockey for all three periods,” said Bievenue.

Photos by Rob Jonas