ROCKPORT — The Camden Hills varsity ice hockey team collected a home opener victory on Wednesday, Dec. 19 when the Windjammers topped John Bapst/Mount Desert Island/Bangor Christian 3-1 at the Midcoast Recreation Center in Rockport. 

With the victory, the Windjammers improve to 3-1 on the season. 

Next on the schedule for Camden Hills will be a home contest on Saturday, Dec. 22 against Yarmouth at 6 p.m. 

In the Wednesday showdown, Bryce Tyler opened the scoring for Camden Hills off a Nate Van Lonkhuyzen assist on a power play. 

In the second period, Charlie Griebel found the net for the Windjammers off a Levi Guay assist on a power play. 

In the third period, Ben Spear scored for the visitors courtesy an Alex Walls assist on a power play 

Finally, the Windjammers scored once more when Ben Wells scored in an empty net from a Van Lonkhuyzen assist. 

“It appeared from the first puck drop that the John Bapst game plan was to be agitators,” said Camden Hills head coach John Magri. “Initially this may have seemed like a sound strategy as they were getting under our players’ skin. But we eventually reeled in our emotions and in a 45 minute game with 49 minutes in penalties on both sides of the game sheet Camden Hills will play special teams’ hockey with anyone all night.”

Magri praised Bernier’s performance as goalie and Van Lonkhuyzen for his ability to make things happen by “pure will and hard work.” 

“I was really encouraged by how much our defense had stepped up their game and elevated their play in comparison to the game [against] Gardiner last Saturday night,” Magri stated. “It wasn’t pretty tonight but we keep finding ways to win which is a testament to our Captains and this group of players that will go through walls to earn a victory.”

The Windjammers were cheered on, in part, by the school’s pep band who performed at the home opener. 

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.