20U Leafs:

The Aspen Leafs (31-5) secured a first-round RMJHL playoff bye and another series sweep against the Colorado Thunderbirds on the road.  On Friday night the Leafs continued their trend of exploding offensively in the second period, scoring six goals in 20 minutes.  Viacheslav Goev recorded a hat trick, Garrett McNichol and Cam Dufault scored two goals, and Tom Bowe and Taylor Knight scored one each in the 9-5 final.  On Saturday, the Leafs dominated the Thunderbirds in a lop-sided 11-1 drubbing.  Goev, Bowe, Spencer Sabourin, Andrew Lee, and Boston Lindlahr each scored twice, and Aspen native Will Doremus scored his fifth goal in 10 games with the Leafs.

(Aspen plays its final home series February 19 and 20 at the Ice Garden (7:00pm) against the Grand Junction Glacier Yetis.  On Friday night (2/19), all gate and concession proceeds benefit the Aspen Hope Center. Saturday night (2/20) is Fan Appreciation Night, revenue goes to Challenge Aspen, and the game features NHL legend Bobby Hull as the special guest.  Following the game, players will remain on hand to meet with fans and sign autographs.)

19U Girls:

The 19U girls travelled to Gunnison to take on the West Elk Blades for a pair of MSGHL games.  The Leafs had their sites set on moving up in the standings against a strong West Elk team (11-1-2), who currently sits in second place.  In game one the Leafs were outshot 29-12 but goaltender Sonya Benson was spectacular in net making 26 saves in a tough 3-0 loss.  The next morning Aspen rebounded with better effort matching the Blades in shots, but once again were unable to find the back of the net.  The Leafs gave up two goals in the third period in a physical game, dropping their second on the road 2-0.  Aspen returns to action this weekend in two important MSGHL games against fourth place Summit.

High School:

The Aspen Skiers (6-6) moved into playoff contention with a 4-3 home win over Kent Denver Friday night, and a 2-0 road win against the Columbine Rebels Saturday.  On Friday, Joel Rothman netted two goals in the second period, and Reece Cohan and Zach Mencimer scored in the third to lift Aspen to their fifth league victory.  In Denver on Saturday night, RJ Peshek and Victor Dunn both scored even strength goals, and goaltender Andy Vernier recorded his second shutout of the season to secure the Skier’s fifth straight win. With only three games in the regular season remaining, Aspen plays their final home game this Saturday afternoon (February 13, 4:00) at Lewis Arena.

14U Girls:

The Leafs 14U Girls team was on the road Saturday and Sunday for two MSGHL games against third place West Elk (11-2-1).  In game one, Lillian Cassidy registered a hat trick with two goals in the first period and one midway through the second period.  Kristen Spang followed up with her third goal this season in a tough 6-4 loss against a strong opponent.  On Sunday, West Elk rattled off six goals before Mia Seltzer scored late in the game.  The Leafs continue their playoff push this weekend with two home games against Summit, who is tied with West Elk with an 11-2-1 record.

Bantam A:

The Aspen Bantam A team home Saturday and Sunday for three important league games against the West Elk Wolverines.  The Leafs (11-1-4) are battling for the top seed in the upcoming CDYHL playoffs.  In game one, Henry Morrison, Dylan Passero and Connor Chesner each scored goals, and goaltender Gage Redman made 16 saves in a 3-1 opening win.  In game two, Robby Fitzgerald scored early and Jack Pevny and Stella Scott each scored late, and the Leafs notched their second straight 3-1 victory.  In the final game on Sunday, Fitzgerald and Pevny scored two goals, and Morrison and Max Ufkes each netted one goal in a 6-1 series sweeping win.  Redman was once again solid between the pipes stopping 22 shots in the final game.

Bantam B:

The Leafs Bantam B team (13-2) tightened their grip on the #1 seed heading into the CDYHL playoffs with a three-game sweep over the West Elk Wolverines.  In game one, Quinn Langley registered a three-goal hat trick, Robert Courtenay-Morris netted two goals, and Keaton Miller notched one goal in a dominating 6-0 performance.  In game 2, Rand Schenck scored two goals, Lander Greenway recorded his fifth goal of the season, and Langley and Courtenay-Morris padded the scoresheet for a 5-1 win.  In the final game, goaltender Logan Soderberg recorded his second shutout of the series adding to his league-leading total of six this season.  Wheeler Feer started the scoring for the Leafs early in the first period, Schenck scored two goals and Miller followed up with his 14th league goal this season.  The 4-0 win marked the Leafs third CDYHL series sweep this season.

12U Girls:

The Aspen Leafs visited Gunnison Saturday and Sunday for two MSGHL games against the West Elk Blades.  On Saturday, goaltender Linea Earl stopped all 10 shots lifting the Leafs to a 4-0 victory.  CC Cassidy scored two goals, and Hannah Popish and Ruby Dolan each netted one goal in the win.  In an evenly matched game on Sunday, Addie Weldon scored her third goal of the season, but the Blades defense held strong handing the Leafs a 3-1 loss.  The hard working Leafs conclude the MSGHL season at home this weekend with games against Summit.

Peewee A:

The Leafs Peewee A team (14-0-1) clinched to the top seed in the upcoming CDYHL playoffs with three wins over fifth place West Elk.  On Saturday Connor Allen, Porter Holmbeck, Brooks Bond, and Wilder Jacober each scored, and goaltender Zach Small stopped 8 shots in a 4-0 series-opening win.  In game two, George Morrison and Dane Whiston added their names to the list of goal-scorers in a 6-0 victory.  The Leafs domination continued Sunday with Bond scoring twice and Fisher Scott, Nick Pevny, Holmbeck and Tim Schlumberger scoring once.  Small recorded his fourth straight CDYHL shut-out, his league-leading sixth of the season.

Squirt B:

The Leafs Squirt B continued CDYHL action hosting Telluride for two league games.  On Saturday, Ryder Rondeau scored a three-goal hat trick, scoring two goals in the first period and one in the third period.  In the second period Aspen dominated the Lizard Heads with three goals scored by Max Schlumberger, Paul Schenck, and Treven Ward.  Goaltender Jeremiah Swenson made 13 saves in the 6-1 series-opening win.  In game two, the Leafs lone goal by Rondeau wasn’t enough to secure the win, but Swenson remained solid in net stopping 12 shots to salvage a 1-1 tie.  With three CDYHL games remaining, the Leafs have a chance to clinch a playoff berth on the road versus Vail February 20/21. 

Squirt C:

The Aspen Leafs Squirt C team concluded CDYHL regular season play and clinched a playoff berth over the weekend with a two-game sweep over Telluride.  In game one, Gavin Boggs, Will Haneman, Jack Freitas and Cooper Russell scored, and Eddy Zane made 8 saves for a 4-1 victory.  Game two was all Aspen with four different players scoring in a 6-0 win. Russell and James Mellenthin both scored twice, and Lucas Johnson and Zane (playing forward) scored once. The starting goaltender Haneman stopped 9 shots for his first shutout this season.