5A Ice Hockey: Cherry Creek Claims First Championship since 2015

DENVER — No. 3 Cherry Creek knocked off No.1 Poudre School District 5-3 for the 5A hockey state championship at Magness Arena on Monday night – claiming the school’s first state title in the sport since 2015, and its fifth overall in hockey.

“(It feels) tremendous,” Cherry Creek coach Jeff Mielnicki said. “The kids have been working so hard this year and their confidence has been growing, and (they are) just a great group of kids. They worked hard and they got what they deserve. So I am very happy for them.”

Senior Matthew Lopez turned in a hat trick as the Bruins rallied from a 2-1, second-period deficit.

“Matthew Lopez is the glue-stick for us, and he can do anything so we have him in a set center position and when we need him late in the game like in the third, he is playing top minutes as a defenseman,” Mielnicki said. “His hockey IQ is exceptional and his competitive grit and heart is just unmatched. So I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

Defense was on display to start the game, as both teams gave their best examples of what a defensive period is. Scoring opportunities were exchanged, but neither team could break through until Cherry Creek ultimately got the lone goal from junior forward Brady Sullivan to take a 1-0 lead.

The game opened up in the second period, with Poudre tallying two goals early in the period from senior forwards Cavyn Nelson and Hayden Miller.

After falling behind, Cherry Creek found some momentum with goals from Lopez to take a 3-2 lead into the final frame. Lopez continued to be a difference maker, completing the hat trick in the third period to lead the charge for Cherry Creek.

Poudre tried to chip away at the Cherry Creek lead, with senior forward London Salmela finding the back of the net to help his team get back within one goal. However, after a strong defensive effort from Cherry Creek, Bruins junior forward Liam Corcoran scored an insurance goal, sealing the state title for Cherry Creek.