Winning a state championship without suffering a loss is difficult, especially in ice hockey.

Three years ago, Cheyenne Mountain was the last team to make it to the state championship game without suffering a loss. It brought a 21-0-1 mark into that game against Peak to Peak, a team it had dominated twice during the regular season.

In the end, Peak to Peak walked away with the state championship with a 3-1 win.

This year, Regis Jesuit is trying for the unbeaten season, bringing its 20-0-1 record into the semifinals, which will be played Friday at World Arena in Colorado Springs. If the Raiders can win out, they would become the first team to win two consecutive titles since Cheyenne Mountain (1996, 1997).

"This is just icing on the cake," Regis coach Dan Woodley said. "We just need to keep our approach to each game the same and take it one game at a time."

Regis is the only team left that has won a state championship. Ralston Valley has played in three state semifinals, having advanced to the title game once, while Lewis-Palmer and Bishop Machebeuf are going for their initial title-game berth.

Regis Jesuit

* How they got here: First round - Regis 8, Doherty 1. Quarterfinals - Regis 5, Steamboat Springs 1.

* State titles: One (2008).

* Numbers game: It has been 34 games since the Raiders last lost and not many teams have been close to beating them this season.

* Final four foes: Regis beat semifinal opponent Machebeuf 3-2 in overtime on a power-play goal by Tanner Scales. The only blemish on the Raiders' record is a 4-4 tie against Ralston Valley. Also, two third-period goals lifted Regis to a 2-1 win against Lewis-Palmer.

* Top players: The Raiders' offensive attack has been well-balanced, as there are two players who have scored 40 points or more. Connor Hayes leads with 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists), followed by Gregg Davis' 41 points (17-24) and Nick Davis' 39 (17-22).

* Coach speak: "We were prepared but just didn't play our best hockey," Woodley said of the first meeting against Machebeuf. "We got behind early, struggled to come back, but we were able to get the goal in overtime. They are a good team and I give them a lot of credit."

Machebeuf

* How they got here: First round - Machebeuf 2, Rampart 1. Quarterfinals - Machebeuf 3, Cheyenne Mountain 2.

* State titles: None.

* Numbers game: In the meetings against Ralston Valley and Regis, the Buffaloes were outshot by 40 (77-37).

* Final four foes: The Buffaloes were close to upsetting Ralston Valley and Regis, only to lose in overtime. Both times they had a lead - a 2-0 advantage against Regis and a 4-3 lead against Ralston Valley in the third period. Machebeuf didn't play Lewis-Palmer.

* Top players: Machebeuf has three of the best scorers in the state, led by Zack Lass, who leads the state in goals (35), assists (33) and points (68). Brennan Steineker has added 44 points (17-27) and Alex Page has 40 (26-14).

* Coach speak: "We need to do what has made us successful this season and it's using our speed," Al Quintana said of trying to beat Regis. "They are going to focus on Zack (Lass), which will free up other players, because we aren't a one-player team."

Lewis-Palmer

* How they got here: First round - Lewis-Palmer 3, Chatfield 2. Quarterfinals - Lewis-Palmer 5, Aspen 1.

* State titles: None.

* Numbers game: If the game is close in the final period, there's a good chance the Rangers will win. In eight games decided by a goal, Lewis-Palmer has won six.

* Final four foes: The Regis and Ralston Valley games were decided by a goal. Blake Cogburn scored in overtime to push the Rangers past the Mustangs 3-2.

* Top players: Cogburn (13-29) has been posting points in bunches, recording at least a point in 19 of the team's 21 games. Defense has been the key to this team's success, and it starts in net with Brent Schwarz, who has posted a 14-2 record and three shutouts.

* Coach speak: "We aren't as deep as Ralston Valley, so we are going to have to limit their scoring chances," Steve Fillo said. "To win the game, we are going to have to score on our power-play opportunities and play strong penalty kill."

Ralston Valley

* How they got here: First round - Ralston Valley 4, Kent Denver 1. Quarterfinals - Ralston Valley 6, Pueblo County 0.

* State titles: None.

* Numbers game: In their third year of existence, the Mustangs are 3-for-3 on advancing to the semifinals.

* Final four foes: Ralston Valley will have payback on its mind when it takes on Lewis-Palmer, which handed the Mustangs their only loss. Ralston Valley needed overtime to get past Machebeuf as Nick Graf scored the winner.

* Top players: Adam Lucas has been one of the most solid goaltenders in the state, posting a 13-1-1 record with six shutouts. On the offensive side, Graham Smith (9-20) leads the team with 29 points and Graf (15-13) is second with 28.

* Coach speak: "I hope it's not a repeat of history because that game was lopsided in our favor," John McKibbon said of the first game against Lewis-Palmer. "We outshot them and the play was mostly down on our side of the ice; we just let one get away."

Back to Top