Quarterfinal hockey roundup: Cherry Creek upsets defending champ Ralston Valley
Cherry Creek took down two-time defending champion Ralston Valley in the quarterfinals of hockey’s state tournament on Saturday.
The Bruins (17-4-0) jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals from Max Tennant and Jack Venuto in the first period. That would be all they needed, as the No. 5 seed held on for a 2-1 win over No. 1 Ralston Valley.
It is the biggest win for Cherry Creek since the program was revived following a 25-year hiatus in 2012-13.
Cherry Creek was also in the semifinals last year, where the Bruins lost to Ralston Valley 6-2.
Bruins goalie Brady Mielnicki had a huge game — including a big penalty kill late in the third period.
Ralston Valley (18-2-1) scored with eight seconds left in the game.
(2) Regis Jesuit 3, (6) Resurrection Christian 0
Regis Jesuit is back in hockey’s semifinals for the eighth consecutive season following a 3-0 win over Resurrection Christian in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
The Raiders have advanced to the state semifinals every year since 2008, and won championships in 2008, 2009 and 2012.
Saturday, second-seeded Regis (19-0-1) took a 1-0 lead on Cade Alcock’s goal 9:32 into the first period. It then added a power play markers from John Kane and Jack Jordan in the second to grab the three-goal lead.
Sam Gartner notched his fourth shutout this season, and second of the playoffs, for Regis.
Resurrection Christian, a No. 6 seed, ends its season 15-6-0.
(3) Dakota Ridge 3, (2) Air Academy 2
Dakota Ridge built a 2-0 lead after the first period, added another goal midway through the second, and the Eagles beat Air Academy 3-2 in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
It’s just the latest in what has been a banner year for the Eagles, who started their program in 2007. Last season, Dakota Ridge qualified for the postseason for the first time in program history. On Friday, the Eagles won a postseason game for the first time.
Now, Dakota Ridge is in the semifinals — another first for the program.
Saturday, Zach Williams and Reed Hoogenboom staked Dakota Ridge to the 2-0 lead. Air Academy cut it to 2-1 on Jonathan Valtin’s unassisted power play goal 9:48 into the second, but Dakota Ridge answered with Graehm Konsella’s goal just 58 seconds later.
Air Academy did make it a one-goal game with another power play goal later in the second period, but the Kadets couldn’t score again.
Joey Owston was a star in net for Dakota Ridge, making 41 saves. Air Academy’s Jason Stolz stopped 26 shots.
Dakota Ridge will face Cherry Creek in the semifinals.
(4) Monarch 3, (1) Mountain Vista 2
Monarch (16-3-1) returned to the state semifinals for the third consecutive season after knocking off No. 1-seeded Mountain Vista. Find a full recap of the game here.
The Coyotes rallied from down 2-0 with a big second period to secure the win. Mike Van Haute scored 21 seconds into the second period on the power play, then Jake Young tied the game 2:09 into the frame. Andrew Pickner added a tally late in the period which proved to be the difference.
Reid Goodman and Jordan Cox scored for Mountain Vista (17-2-1).
Monarch will face Regis Jesuit in the semifinals.
