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Hockey: Aspen High tests Colorado powers

Dale Strode
The Aspen Times
Regis Jesuit's Jack Jordan goes airborne as he charges the Aspen goal during Saturday night's hockey game at the Aspen Ice Garden. Jordan scored two goals in Regis' victory.
Aubree Dallas / The Aspen Times |

Regis Jesuit High School skated into Aspen on Saturday with a big-time reputation and a perfect record.

The top-ranked Regis hockey team skated out of Aspen on Saturday night with an 8-1 victory over the Aspen Skiers, an intact reputation and a perfect record (5-0).

The Raiders, who exploited the smaller ice surface at the Aspen Ice Garden with 16 first-period shots, scored four times in the opening 17-minute period.



Their sophisticated passing game and their relentless recycling produced three more goals in the second period and one more in the third.

Aspen broke the ice against the unbeaten Raiders when Burke Daily scored a power-play goal for the Skiers midway through the second period, assisted by Victor Dunn and Henry Godfrey.




But Regis, showing depth all around, melted the Aspen ice with 38 shots on goal against the Skiers.

Jack Jordan scored the first of his two goals just three and a half minutes into the game.

A scant 33 seconds later, Regis scored again with Connor Brennan converting a picture-perfect pass from Carmine Lonardo.

Jack Kilkenny and John Kane added first-period goals for the Raiders.

Jordan, Michael Baer and Cale Woodley scored in the second period with Woodley converting a rare penalty shot opportunity.

Cade Alcock netted the Raiders’ final goal with a minute to play in the game that drew a large AHS student contingent of supporters.

Saturday’s game came a day after a tense 2-1 loss to powerhouse Cherry Creek on Friday night on the big ice at Lewis Ice Arena.

The Skiers led 1-0 before the Bruins, with an aggressive forecheck, rallied for the tight win.

“Honestly, playing these two heavyweight teams early was a good thing,” Aspen head coach Dru Lucchesi said. “We’re not going to see another team like Regis. And the good thing about the game with Creek is we saw we could compete with the best teams.”

Lucchesi said the 2-1 game against Cherry Creek forced the Skiers to play under pressure against the aggressive-skating Bruins.

“Regis was a lot more passive and organized,” Lucchesi said. “They were really good at moving the puck. And their defense is really good. “

He said their skilled passing allowed them to find space on the ice.

“We’re not finding that space, and Regis was, even on this small rink,” Lucchesi said. “But we’re seeing our kids start to get it. We’re starting to build.”

The Skiers, who finished exams Friday before the Cherry Creek game, head into the holiday break after Saturday’s contest.

“Now, we get down to the nitty gritty when we come back from break,” Lucchesi said. “We should come back ready to go.”

The Skiers (2-4) will return to action Jan. 9 at Resurrection Christian in Loveland.

dstrode@aspentimes.com