No. 3 Cherry Creek hockey skates past No. 9 Ralston Valley

ARVADA — Cherry Creek hockey swept the season-series against Ralston Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

The Bruins — No. 3 in the current CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index — grabbed a 5-2 victory over No. 9 Ralston Valley at Apex Center in Arvada. Cherry Creek took a 5-1 win over last year’s Class 5A state runner-up on Jan. 5.

It was the fourth straight victory for Cherry Creek (9-2-2, 4-2-1 in 5A Metro League). Ralston Valley (3-5-2, 0-5-2) is still looking for its first conference victory this season playing in the deep 5A Metro League. The last 12 state champions in the largest classification has been a team currently in the toughest conference in the state.

Cherry Creek used four unanswered goals from late in the first period through the second period to grab a commanding 5-1 lead. Forward Daniil Korobeynikov had the first two goals in the first period for the Bruins.

A goal by Ralston Valley junior Tyler Strong early in the first period had the game tied 1-1 before Korobeynikov recorded his second goal of the period.

Forward Dominic Suchkov had the Bruins’ lone power-play goal of the game in the opening minute of the second period to give Cherry Creek a 3-1 lead. Charles Keating and Kristian Hauswirth both found the back of the net in the second period to push the lead to 5-1.

Cherry Creek goalie Jack Ryan picked up his fifth victory of the season in net for the Bruins. Senior Chamberlain Nocera got the start in net for Ralston Valley. Fellow senior John Hickam took over in goal for Nocera with 6:45 left in the second period and Ralston Valley trailing 4-1.

Cherry Creek was tagged with five 2-minute penalty through the second and third periods, but Ralston Valley could only capitalize on one of the power plays. Senior captain Gabriel Kennedy deflected a long shot from Strong with 15:41 left in the third period to cut the Bruins’ lead to 5-2.

However, it was the only goal in the final period. Ralston Valley has an 0-3-2 record since returning from Winter Break. The Mustangs are right back on the ice Wednesday afternoon with a 1:45 p.m. puck drop against rival Standley Lake (7-2, 3-0 in 5A Central League). The No. 8 Gators have lost their last two games after a 7-0 start to the season.

Cherry Creek is back on the ice Friday night in Fort Collins. The Bruins face No. 4 Poudre School District before facing No. 1 and defending state champion Valor on Saturday night on the Eagles’ home ice.