Ice Hockey: Matchups Set for Monday’s Finals at Magness Arena

AURORA – The semifinals of the 2026 CHSAA’s Ice Hockey State Championship were played Saturday, setting the matchups for Monday’s state championship games at the University of Denver’s Magness Arena. with all four semifinal matches set for Saturday at Ed Robson Arena.
 

Monday, March 2 at Magness Arena in Denver

• 4A Championship Game – 5 p.m. – No. 3 Pine Creek vs. No. 4 Steamboat Springs
• 5A Championship Game – 7:30 p.m. – No. 1 Poudre School District vs. No. 3 Cherry Creek

In 4A, after defending champion and No. 4 Steamboat Springs defeated upset-minded No. 8 Colorado Springs District 11 4-1, No. 3 Pine Creek scored with 1:13 left in regulation to defeat No. 2 Colorado Academy 2-1. The game-winner by Henry Hoghaug capped a tic-tac-toe passing sequence on the rush, with assists coming from Matthew Thien and Conley Polsgrove. In Steamboat Springs’ win, four players scored goals and Gavin Wittlinger had two assists.

While Steamboat Springs looks for its second-ever title in ice hockey, Pine Creek is seeking its first.

In 5A, No. 1 Poudre School District defeated No. 4 Regis Jesuit 3-1, and No. 3 Cherry Creek won 3-1 over No. 2 Valor Christian, ending the defending state champions’ run of six straight appearances in the championship game.

Last year’s runner-up, Poudre School District is trying for its first state championship. Cherry Creek, with four state titles tied for third with Valor Christian in state history, is shooting for its first state title since 2015.

5A, 4A Semifinals Results

Saturday, Feb. 28 at Ed Robson Arena in Colorado Springs

• 4A Semifinal Game 1 – No. 4 Steamboat Springs def. No. 8 Colorado Springs District 11, 4-1
• 4A Semifinal Game 2 – No. 3 Pine Creek def. No. 2 Colorado Academy, 2-1
• 5A Semifinal Game 1 – No. 1 Poudre School District def. No. 4 Regis Jesuit, 3-1
• 5A Semifinal Game 2 – 7 p.m. – No. 3 Cherry Creek def. No. 2 Valor Christian, 3-1

4A Quarterfinal Schedule/Results

Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 24-25 at home sites

• No. 8 Colorado Springs District 11 def. No. 1 Battle Mountain, 3-1
• No. 2 Colorado Academy def. No. 10 Liberty, 6-0
• No. 3 Pine Creek def. No. 6 Standley Lake, 1-0
• No. 4 Steamboat Springs def. No. 5 Cheyenne Mountain, 3-2

4A First Round Results

Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21 at home sites

• No. 10 Liberty def. No. 7 Summit, 4-2
• No. 8 Colorado Springs District 11 def. No. 9 Crested Butte, 4-3

5A Quarterfinal Schedule/Results

Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 24-25 at South Suburban Sports Complex in Highlands Ranch

• No. 1 Poudre School District def. No. 9 Chaparral, 3-1
• No. 2 Valor Christian def. No. 7 Monarch, 2-0
• No. 3 Cherry Creek def. No. 6 Mountain Vista, 2-0
• No. 4 Regis Jesuit def. No. 5 Denver East, 3-2

5A First Round Results

Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 19-21 at home sites

• No. 5 Denver East def. No. 12 Castle View, 6-0
• No. 6 Mountain Vista def. No. 11 Lewis-Palmer, 3-1
• No. 7 Monarch def. No. 10 Heritage, 3-0
• No. 9 Chaparral def. No. 8 Ralston Valley, 4-3