WOBURN – One opposing Middlesex League coach said in the preseason that the Belmont boys hockey team’s top lines is one of the state’s best.

By scoring all four goals for the No. 16 Marauders to help lead them past a red-hot No. 20 Winchester, 4-1, on Saturday afternoon at O’Brien Ice Rink, that crew showed just how dangerous it can be.

Adam Bauer (two goals, assist), Leo Packard (goal, two assists) and Liam Guilderson (goal, two assists) each lit the lamp in Belmont’s (4-2) first game against a Liberty Division opponent, taking advantage of slim scoring opportunities in the first two periods as the Red and Black (5-2)  vastly outshot it.

Sophomore goalie Ethan Bauer (34 saves) played stellar in net, though, and his older brother rewarded 29 saves in the first two periods by scoring the first two goals – each one assisted by Guilderson or Packard.

“Awesome, hard-working kids … I think they could certainly compete with anybody,” Marauders head coach Tim Foley said of his top line. “They did (take control of the game), and that’s what they’re capable of doing. … They play a very high-pace game, and skilled.”

Staving off Winchester at the start was no easy task, as an aggressive forecheck helped it dominate offensive zone time and outshoot Belmont 17-3. Guilderson’s feed from the right circle to Adam Bauer in the slot during a rush gave the Marauders a 1-0 lead on their first shot on net, only for Jonathan Garmey to tie things up for Winchester 28 seconds later.

Winchester’s Chris McCarthy, left, is hip-checked by Belmont’s P.D. Dimas during the third period of Belmont’s 4-1 win in Woburn. (Photo by Paul Connors/Media News Group/Boston Herald)

Belmont aimed to use the Red and Black’s pressure against them in the second period. With how strong Ethan Bauer and the defense played, the Marauders had a third forward hang up high to try to build odd-man rushes.

“We know we have a good goalie in Ethan Bauer who (saved) a lot of high-quality shots this game, and obviously we try to keep our motto (on defense) – weather the storm, bend don’t break,” Foley said. “They were stretching out their two wings at least to the red lines. … We thought that if we dumped the puck in the right way, it would make it hard for the defensemen to get to.”

As Ethan Bauer held a 13-save shutout, the Marauders executed. Packard found Adam Bauer charging down the slot from the right wall, and the senior faked the backhand on an impressive move in open space to finish glove-side for a 2-1 lead with 6:21 left in the period. Four minutes later, Adam Bauer smacked a pass below the goal line to Guilderson behind the net, and he set up Packard wide-open in front for an insurance goal.

Winchester’s Caiden Brady, left, checks Belmont’s Henry Packard along the boards during the second period. Winchester fell, 4-1, in Woburn. (Photo by Paul Connors/Media News Group/Boston Herald)

“We talked about setting the tone and I think we came out flying in the second,” Adam Bauer said. “We had a lot more energy, took the life out of them. We capitalized.”

Belmont only improved as the game went on, holding Winchester to just five shots on goal in the third period. Guilderson’s goal 50 seconds into the frame was the final scoring touch.

Ahead of its upcoming slate against No. 6 Reading, No. 5 Arlington and No. 12 Woburn, this was a signature win for Belmont in its hunt for a league title.

Handing Winchester its first loss in regulation this year was even sweeter.

“Even if you look at the (Freedom side), there are no nights off at all in this league,” Foley said. “It’s a high-level league and we do take pride in (winning it). It’s one of our goals in the preseason.”

“We grew up playing with Winchester kids, so we know a lot of them,” Adam Bauer continued. “We’re used to competing with them, we love the rivalry. And it gives us momentum.”