WINSLOW — The Lawrence/Skowhegan boys hockey team is certainly living up to its nickname, as the Bandits are proving to be one of the more dangerous teams in Eastern A over the past few months.

Trey Michonski and Cody Martin each scored a pair of goals as the Bandits (10-5-1) scored an 8-1 win over Thornton Academy (2-12-0) on Wednesday at Sukee Arena for their ninth straight victory.

“We’re feeling unbelievable. We played such a great game and we’re working so (well) together,” Michonski said. “Our (first) line has been clicking, our second line has been producing really well, our defense is stepping up and our goalie (Curtis Martin), he’s been pulling through great.”

The final score ultimately settled squarely on the side of the Bandits, yet it took the home team a little time to get going in the opening period. Difficulties advancing the puck through the neutral zone led to some decent opportunities for the Trojans, but a goal ultimately did not materialize thanks in large part to a strong backcheck from defensemen Andrew Carpenter and Sam Haver.

Carpenter broke through for the Bandits 3 minutes, 38 seconds into the contest, and from there Lawrence/Skowhegan dictated the pace. Brad Wilbur doubled the advantage 50 seconds later and — after a goal for Thornton’s Logan Picard — Michonski and Tyler Tompkins each scored before the end of the period to give the Bandits a commanding 4-1 lead.

“That first goal is always the biggest,” Michonski said. “Whoever scores that goal it’s great for momentum. It’s really important, it really is because once you get that one you’re looking for the second, you’re looking for the third. It just gives you that great momentum.”

Cody Martin and Michonksi made sure to bury the Trojans in the second with goals 4:22 and 7:10 into the period, respectively.

“They’re swarming and we’re all over the puck,” Lawrence/Skowhegan coach Ted Fabian said. “They’re feeding off the momentum and hopefully we can keep it up.”

The Bandits wrap up the season with games at Bowdoin College Saturday against Mt. Ararat/Lisbon and at Sukee against Cony/Monmouth Wednesday. After winning nine straight, Lawrence/Skowhegan is certainly confident, but is trying to stay humble as well heading into the final stretch of the season.

“We’re feeling awesome, we’ve got great confidence right now but we can’t get overconfident,” Michonski said. “When that happens stuff starts falling apart.”

Evan Crawley — 621-5640

ecrawley@mainetoday.com

Twitter: @Evan_Crawley