ROCKPORT — It was a high scoring contest at the Camden Hills varsity ice hockey game Saturday, Feb. 1 as the Windjammers hosted Presque Isle at the Midcoast Recreation Center 

Entering the game, Camden Hills knew they needed to be prepared for battle as the visiting Wildcats are the highest scoring team in the league and sat atop the standings, according to Camden Hills head coach John Magri. 

“We had established this game for ourselves as an important game to earn a win to establish who we were in the league coming into the post season in less than 30 days,” said Magri. “Presque Isle is a ‘scoring’ team they average just shy of 6 goals a game so you either have to shut down their offensive onslaught or simply score more goals than they do. They also have the best powerplay in the league so special teams would be crucial against them.” 

In the end, Camden Hills was able to score more goals than Presque Isle as the host Windjammers collected a narrow 7-6 victory. 

The Windjammers netted four goals in the opening period with two coming from Levi Guay and one each from Charlie Griebel (Andrew Orne assist) and Camden Powell (Guay assist). 

Presque Isle, meanwhile, tallied three goals with two from Colby Carlisle (Gage Letourneau and Connor Demerchant assist; Demerchant and Cameron Levasseur assist) and one from Letourneau (Carlisle and Demerchant assist). 

“This first period was fast and furious,” said Magri.

In the second period, Camden Hills scored three goals courtesy Quinn Brown (Guay assist), Jakob Johnson (Noah Quesnel assist) and Ben Wells (Guay assist). 

Presque Isle also netted a trio of goals with Letourneau (Carlisle assist, unassisted) scoring two goals and Carlisle (Noah Roy assist) scoring once. 

Neither team scored in the final period of the game with the hosts taking a 7-6 victory. 

In the goalie net, Jackson Bernier recorded 17 saves for the Windjammers, while Brandon Poitras recorded 21 for Presque Isle. 

After the game, Magri had praise for several of his players, starting with Guay, who he described as a force on the ice during Saturday’s showdown. 

“A lot of minutes, a lot of work as he is a key penalty killer and he turned in 2 goals, 3 assists, and 5 points for the night bringing that special level of investment to a game that goes a long way in elevating his teammates,” Magri said. 

Wells is developing into a larger threat as the playoffs near, according to Magri. 

“Ben Wells is always a force in thwarting our opponents with his speed, size and tenacity,” said Magri. 

In addition to netting goals, Griebel played a fierce and physical game in all three zones throughout the entire contest, which pleased Magri. 

Magri noted Noah Quesnel has elevated his game recently and said Quesnel’s style of play will be another weapon the Windjammers will tap into as Quesnel is fast, quick-handed and plays on the edge of chaos. 

“He is going to peak at the most important time in the season,” said Magri. 

New addition Powell also received praise from his head coach for adding a level of fight and grind to the line alongside Guay and Wells, which Magri noted has “paid benefits with a net front goal.” 

Magri also highlighted Orne and Brown as providing “top-notch” protection on defense, while also contributing to the team’s scoring.

“We have been solid defensively most of the year so it has been a positive development for our efforts in practice to pay dividends in scoring 15 goals in the last two games,” said Magri.

The next game for Camden Hills will be on the road Wednesday, Feb. 5 against Waterville/Winslow at 7:30 p.m. on the Colby College campus. 

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