5A Ice Hockey: Valor Christian Claims Fourth State Title in Six Years
By Brad Cochi/CHSAANow.com
Photo: Brad Cochi/CHSAANow
DENVER – For the fourth time in six seasons, the Valor Christian ice hockey team is back on top.
During Monday night’s Class 5A Ice Hockey State Championships at DU’s Magness Arena, the third-seeded Eagles (15-7) won 7-4 over No. 1 Poudre School District (18-2-2) to claim the state title.
“I didn’t think, honestly, we had it until we came into the playoffs as a fresh team,” Eagles junior Maddux Charles said. “I’m just ridiculously proud of our team and that we did everything, and that it was in God’s will for us to win.”
The Eagles didn’t waste any time jumping out to a lead on Monday.
Valor Christian’s Ronan Hirschfield scored just 10 seconds into the game. The Eagles then scored three more goals in the first period, finding the net with 6:10 left (Elijah Fischer), 5:29 left (Hirschfield) and 1:13 (Andrew Jenkins) to take a 4-0 lead into the second period.
The Stars responded with goals from Dylan Hice (13:59) and London Salmela (10:14) before Valor Christian’s Bauer Bodhaine scored to make the Eagles’ lead 5-2 with 8:59 left in the second. A goal from Poudre School District’s Weston Derby cut the Valor Christian lead to 5-3 to start the third.
After four goals were scored in each of the first two periods, neither team scored until Valor Christian’s Andrew Jenkins scored on a breakaway with 4:23 remaining in the game. A minute later, Nerby scored one more time for Poudre School District. The game nearly went scoreless until Charles scored an empty-netter with a minute left.
Valor Christian goaltender Lucas Jordan was credited with 40 saves.
Winning ice hockey titles in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2025, Valor Christian’s four state championships are now tied with Cherry Creek for third most all-time in Colorado high school history.
Entering Monday’s season finale, the Stars had not lost a game since their season opener on Nov. 22. During the regular season, the Stars beat Valor Christian twice – 7-1 on Dec. 7 and 1-0 on Feb. 1.
To reach Monday’s title game, Valor Christian won 1-0 over No. 2 Monarch in the semifinals. On the other side of the bracket, Poudre School District won 4-3 over No. 4 Cherry Creek in its semifinal game.
Cheyenne Mountain has the most ice hockey state titles in state history with 16.
