ROCKPORT — Camden Hills Regional High School's Varsity Hockey team has been on the ice consistently since Saturday, when it scored a win against Hampden on home ice at the MidCoast Recreation Center in Rockport.

That game presented heavy playoff implications. Hampden is ranked No. 4 in Class B North, while Camden is close behind at No. 6.

There are 16 spots in the Class B playoff bracket, eight for the south and eight for the north. If Camden wanted to make the playoffs, these last six games are crucial, especially against a team ahead of them like Hampden. 

Before the game, I talked with one of the team's captains, Alden Howard. I asked him what the team needed to do to bounce back after a 5-0 loss to John Bapst Memorial High School January 28.

“Tuesday was definitely a hard fought game but I’d say we need to be more physical and thought-out while moving with and without the puck, especially against the bigger teams,” said Howard

I then asked what made John Bapst such a tough opponent, and what the team needed to do to win next time.

“John Bapst is definitely a bigger and faster team, we’re definitely working on moving the puck and not hearing the footsteps, as well as making sure to win all the 50/50 pucks," he said.

The game was an overtime thriller with Camden Hills getting the win 5-4.

Hampden jumped to an early lead with two first period goals, while holding Camden to zero. In the second period, Camden got one back, bringing it to 2-1 going into the final period.

That’s when both teams' offenses caught fire, with Camden scoring 3 and Hampden scoring 2, putting both teams at 4. To end it Camden scored an OT goal to beat the 4th ranked Hampden Broncos.

On Wednesday, Feb. 5, CHRHS hockey players faced one of their toughest opponents again, playing against the 8-1 Cony Rams.

When last these two teams faced off, the Rams beat the Windjammers 6-2.

I spoke again with senior captain Alden Howard( No. 27 white) about what the team needed to do to win this time, and how many losses the team can afford before being eliminated from the playoffs.

“Well Cony is definitely a strong team with key players, but if we can out muscle them and make sure we play cautiously but don’t give them too much respect in our zone [we can beat them],” he said. “At this point I think we will be able to clutch a playoff spot but winning against these harder teams will give us a better position.”

The game started strong for Cony, who scored two quick goals in the first half of period one.

In the second period, Cony scored fast again, taking the lead to three. Camden would score one as well to take it back down to a two-goal deficit.

Cony almost instantly responded with a goal to put the score at 4-1.

And then Camden scored quickly in response to THAT. Camden immediately did it again to bring it within one.

Then they scored to tie. All this was still in the second period by the way!

For the third period, it slowed down a lot compared to the high paced-offensive period that was the second. The scoring was started by Camden, then Cony tied it again.

With less than three minutes left in the game, Cony scored the final two goals to win the game 7-5.

Camden's next game is at Presque Isle on Feb. 8.

Eric Lear is a senior at Camden Hills Regional High School.