Playoff Updates: 

Saturday, February 25:

The Aspen Peewee A team was the first team to punch a ticket to the CDYHL Playoff finals Sunday morning.  In the double elimination tournament, the Leafs defeated #2 seeded Steamboat 5-3, providing themselves two chances to win a championship against league rival Summit.  As the undefeated team entering the final double elimination game, the Leafs can claim their title in the morning (9:45 at Lewis Arena).  If they lose, they will have a second chance Sunday afternoon (1:45 at Lewis Arena).  Aspen's Peewee B and Bantam A teams saw their CDYHL seasons come to an end with losses to Summit and Vail.  Both teams now turn their attention to the CAHA state championship playoffs next weekend.  

In Denver, the 12U Girls improved its record to 2-1 in the MSGHL playoff tournament with a 2-1 victory over Summit.   The Leafs can advance to the championship game Sunday with a win over New Mexico, who currently sits in first place with 3 wins.  The 14U Girls defeated Vail 4-1 and tied New Mexico 3-3.  They enter the final day in first place tied with New Mexico with 5 points (2-0-1).  With a win over Summit, the Leafs also can punch their ticket to the championship game.  The 19U Girls remained undefeated with wins over Vail 4-1 and Telluride 2-0.  Even with a loss in their final pool play game against New Mexico Sunday morning, with the win over Vail today, the Leafs have already earned a spot in the championship game Sunday afternoon.

Friday, February 24:

In Aspen, the Leafs Peewee A team dominated in puck possession over the top-seed Summit Lighting, and were rewarded with a thrilling 2-1  OT win.  Going up against a talented goaltender, Aspen's puck movement was the ticket, as Nick Pevny cashed in on two beautifully executed Leafs goals.  The win came just over four minutes into sudden death overtime.  The Leafs play Steamboat Saturday morning; the winner advances to the final game Sunday morning.

The Leafs Peewee B team also dominated in puck possession, at least throughout the first two periods.  Late in the second period, the bounces began to favor the top-seed Steamboat Red team and Aspen fell behind 2-0.  Although the Leafs continue to show amazing signs of life, they were unable to find the back of the net, or capitalize on any rebounds.  They look to bounce back tomorrow in a must win game against the Summit Lightning.  

In Glenwood Springs, the Leafs Bantam A team kept things interesting with the undefeated Grizzlies.  After suffering a lopsided defeat earlier in the season, Aspen's goaltending (47 saves by Zach Small) and the ability to keep Glenwood's attack mostly to the perimeter gave the Leafs a chance for the upset.  In the end however, puck possession favoring Glenwood gave them a three goal lead after the first two periods, and the veteran team skated to a 3-0 victory after three.  Aspen returns to the ice in Glenwood Springs at 1:45 to face rival Vail in a must win playoff game. 

The Leafs 12U Girls started the day with a huge 3-2 win over the Colorado Select, with the game winning goal coming late in the third period. Aspen outshot the Select 17-9.  Later in the day, the Leafs outshot their rivals from Vail but were unable to find the back the of the net, and dropped a tough one 3-1.   The 12U Girls look to rebound Saturday with their lone game against the Summit Lightning.  

The Leafs 14U Girls team blanked the Salt Lake City Lightning 3-0 to start the MSGHL playoff tournament.  Linnea Earl registered the shutout in net with 16 saves, and forward Mia Selzter led the way with 2 goals.  The 14U Girls play Vail and New Mexico on Saturday.  

The Leafs 19U team also started the tournament off with a win, knocking off Steamboat 2-0.  Goaltender Sonya Benson recorded her third MSGHL shutout this season with 11 saves.  Doubling up on Steamoat on total shots, the Leafs were led by forward Juna Rettig, who scored both the lone two goals in the game.  The 19U Girls  play Vail and Telluride on Saturday.

Playoff Recap: 

Six Aspen teams are in action this weekend (February 24-26) making runs for league championship titles.  The Mountain States Girls Hockey League (MSGHL) playoffs features three Aspen teams at The Edge Ice Arena in Denver.  The other three Aspen teams are participating in the Continental Divide Youth Hockey League (CDYHL) playoffs in Glenwood Springs and Aspen.

The 12U Girls, who finished first in the MSGHL Southwest Division, begin MSGHL playoff action Friday morning (10:00) against the Colorado Select.  Finishing fourth in league with a 10-6 record, the 14U Leafs face off against the Salt Lake City Lightning on Friday at 2:00. The 19U team, who posted in impressive 10-2-2 record in the regular season, enters the playoffs as the #2 seed.  They play Steamboat at 3:30 Friday in round one of their championship quest. 

The Leafs Bantam A team begin the CDYHL double elimination playoffs against the host Grizzlies, who completed the regular season undefeated.  The puck drops at the Glenwood Springs Ice Rink at 6:00 Friday night.  On the other side of the Roaring Fork Valley, the Leafs Peewee A and B teams start their CDYHL championship runs at Lewis Arena Friday night.  The Aspen Peewee B team faces off against top seed Steamboat at 6:00.   The Leafs Peewee A team takes the ice at 7:45 in a highly anticipated matchup against top-seed Summit at 7:45.