Though they walked off the ice Saturday having dropped a 3-1 decision to Winslow, the coaches and players of Cape Elizabeth’s girls hockey team were pleased with the way the squad is developing this season.
“At the beginning of the year I’d say our skill level on a scale of 1-10 was, on average, a three, and now it’s a six,” said Capers coach Cade Blackburn. “Everyone has raised their game. We videotaped our first practice and looking at that versus where we are today is a definitely a big improvement.”
In an earlier match-up with the Raiders, Cape didn’t play as well and lost, 6-2.
“Last time it was lopsided, and they carried the play more in our end,” Blackburn said. “This time it was more even.”
Capers forward Hanna Landis gave her team an early lead Saturday at the Cumberland County Civic Center. The senior took a pass from classmate Claire Jackson in the first period and fired a wrist shot past Winslow goalie Danielle Smith.
“Our goal was perfect. That’s what we teach,” said Blackburn. “We tell them, ‘One stay high and when we get possession you sort of creep,’ and the puck went from the corner to the high person, who shot it on net and it was a goal.”
Cape had some difficulties generating shots on goal the rest of the way, while the Raiders – one of the top girls teams – were able to keep Capers first-year netminder Grace Stack busy.
“(Stack) has done really well, and she’s done well all season,” Blackburn said. “She’s doing a lot with her stick, and she’s doing a really good job. There could have been easily another two or three goals, but she stopped them.”
Stack, a freshman, has played hockey before, but not as a goaltender. When she joined the team this year there was a hole between the pipes, so she took on the challenge.
“There wasn’t a goalie so I figured I’d step up to the plate and try it out,” she said. “I really worked on getting into my butterfly stance, and I’ve become more confident in my playing ability.”
With nine freshman and another three sophomores on a roster of 17, Blackburn has looked to his seniors to provide leadership. Twins Hanna and Sarah Landis serve as captains of the squad.
“I always feel like me and Sara are the leaders on the team,” Hanna Landis said. “We’ve played hockey for so long. It’s nice to be able to help others.”
“There are a lot of younger girls on the team and they’re improving,” said Sarah Landis. “We’re working a lot better as a team.”
The Capers have several regular season games left on their schedule, including a home contest against Yarmouth at the CCCC on Feb. 14. The Maine Girls Ice Hockey Association post-season tournament is scheduled for Mar. 1-4.
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