ROCKPORT – There are exciting high school contests played everyday, but few would live up to the excitement of the Western Class B quarterfinal matchup between No. 4 Camden Hills and No. 5 Cape Elizabeth played at the Mid-Coast Recreation Center Tuesday night. 

With no score for the first 42 minutes of the contest, Cape Elizabeth finally creased the net with 3:03 in the third period for a 1-0 lead. Camden Hills scored at 2:17 to tie the score 1-1,  but Cape Elizabeth got the game winner at 1:34 for the 2-1 win.

Camden Hills had a goal called off at the 8:13 mark of the third period when they were called for a hand pass. Just over a minute later at 7:10, the Windjammers thought they had a goal but the puck did not cross the goal line as Cape’s keeper Grant Rusk pinned the puck against the post. 

“On the goal that was called back around the 8:00 mark of the third period. The officials did not wave it off initially when we scored and then the refs huddled up and two of the three officials thought it was a hand pass.” said Camden Hills coach Karl Enroth. “There were a lot bodies in front of the net, but it appeared as though the puck went off one of our players hand or upper arm and then bounced off one of the Cape defenders skate before Josiah Simko knocked the loose puck into the net. Obviously two of the three officials did not see it that way and It’s always tough when you get a goal taken away on a controversial call in a close game”

Camden Hills also lost to Cape Elizabeth during the regular season 3-1 at the Midcoast Recreation Center. The Capers will now play No. 1 Kennebunk Friday, Feb. 27 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston in a semifinal matchup. Camden Hill season comes to an end with a 14-5-0 record.

“This Windjammer hockey team was extremely motivated to make a push at a State Championship and to play well tonight with a distinct edge in play and fall short is a tough feeling.” said Enroth.

Matt Rigle and Carter Brock scored for Cape Elizabeth with assists from Ben Ekedahl and Jeb Boeschenstein. 

Camden Hills’ goal came from James Annis with assists from Jonah Cameron and Simon Lydon. 

Ruck was in goal for the Capers where he stopped 41-of-42 shots on goal for the win. 

“Our players really executed the game plan put to them, sustaining a lot of offensive zone time and playing with discipline.” said Enroth. “Just one of those games that despite our efforts we just could not seem to get a break or right bounce and their Goalie Grant Rusk was immense. Rusk seemed to have a force field up around the Cape net throughout the game”

Zach Hand was in goal for the Windjammers where he stopped nine of 11 shots on goal in the loss.

Cape Elizabeth had two penalties, a two minute penalty for interference and a five minute penalty for an elbow that laid Camden Hills’ Nicholas Czuchra out on the ice. Czuchra was able to return to the game after a brief rest. 

Click here for the complete photo gallery from this game

 Ron Hawkes can be reached at hawkesnews@gmail.com