Spencer Morgan, right, of St. Dom's and Cam Roy of Edward Little compete for the puck during Wednesday's game in Auburn. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

AUBURN — The St. Dom’s boys hockey team hasn’t received much offense from its defense so far this season.

Heading into Wednesday’s game against Edward Little, Riley Daigle was the highest-scoring defenseman with a goal and three assists in eight games. No other defenseman had scored and the other defensemen had four assists combined.

The defense made an impact on the scoresheet in a 5-1 rivalry win over Edward Little on Wednesday at Norway Savings Bank Arena.

The group had at least one point on the Saints’ first three goals of the game, all of which were scored in the second period and gave St. Dom’s a 3-0 lead.

Daigle had two assists for the Saints (5-4), and senior Luke Davidson scored a goal and assisted on another.

Davidson said the defense’s hard work in the offensive zone is starting to show on the scoresheet.

“I think it’s really rewarding,” Davidson said. “Coaches really wanted us to pinch down the wall more and control play in the offensive zone, and (make) sure people have our backs so we can get into the play. So it was a really good feeling getting on the score sheet and all tonight.”

Davidson has never been known as an offensive-minded defenseman, with Wednesday’s goal only the fourth of his varsity career. He has played more of a shutdown role in the past, but new Saints coach Marc Frenette has Davidson moving the puck more this season.

“I love Luke. You know, I’m a first-year coach; Luke’s been asked his whole life to play a different style of hockey than I’m asking him to,” Frenette said. “He’s bought in, he’s started to trust and it shows, it’s improved his game.”

Daigle said he grew up playing forward until pee-wees when his coach at the time put him on the back end. He said he still has an offensive flair to his game.

“I can pass the puck pretty well, which I had (two) assists this game,” Daigle said.

Frenette called Daigle and Davidson the two most level-headed defensemen on the roster for St. Dom’s.

Daigle said continuing to make the simple plays will be crucial for the Saints defensemen.

“We can be better at D-to-D passes and shots from the point,” Daigle said. “I think if we keep doing that, we’ll be pretty successful from the blue line.”

While Frenette liked how the defense played against the Red Eddies, he is going to start trying to force offense from the defenseman. He does, however, want all five players to be involved in the offensive zone.

“So it’s always — I don’t know what they will be, you know, every game, but it’s great when they do contribute,” Frenette said. “I mean, the goal ultimately is to play five men connected on the offensive side, so the Ds can contribute when it’s their opportunity.”

Deano Scalia scored two of St. Dom’s goals against the Red Eddies, while Ben Dumais and Spencer Morgan each had one goal.

Praise for EL ‘bulldog’

The lone Red Eddies (3-6) goal came from defenseman Braydin Gatto, and Edward Little coach Kevin Smith also was impressed with defenseman Cam Roy, who had one of the two assists, along with forward Isaac Jalbert, on Gatto’s goal.

“Off the ice, he’s the quietest kid in the world. You wouldn’t know it, but on the ice, he is a bulldog,” Smith said of Roy. “He wins every battle that ensues. He’s a great shutdown defenseman. You know, he’s not the prettiest player, but he is by far the most effective player that we have on the ice, day in and day out. Him and Andrew Clements are the two that we really rely on.

“But I can’t say enough good things about Cameron Roy. He played an unreal game tonight, but we didn’t have 19 guys going. We had one.”