CLEVELAND | The state champion Regis Jesuit ice hockey team finished third in the top high school division at the USA Hockey Nationals in Cleveland, which wrapped up April 1.
Coach Dan Woodley’s Raiders lost in the national title game in 2018 and had a chance to return to the Division I final, but lost to Edina (Minnesota) in a shootout in the semifinals at OBM Arena March 31. Edina went on to lose to Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.), the same team that beat the Raiders last season, 4-1 in the title match.
Regis Jesuit finished 3-2 overall at the tournament, with a 2-1 mark in pool play followed by a quarterfinal win over Pine Richland (Pennsylvania) to earn a spot in the semifinals.
Drew Renner paced the Raiders with three goals, Luke Dosen scored twice and eight other players tallied single goals and Kale Lone collected three assists for Regis Jesuit.
Gage Bussey and Marco Sandoval each played in the nets for the Raiders as Bussey won both of his games Sandoval finished 1-1 in regulation in addition to the shootout OT loss.
Regis Jesuit was just a few weeks removed from a 5-2 win over Dakota Ridge that delivered it a second straight Colorado state championship.
Players receiving their medals: pic.twitter.com/R3vEtutzbi
— RJHS Hockey (@RJHSHockey) April 1, 2019
One Colorado team came home with a national title, as Monarch cruised to the Division 2 title with a 7-1 win over Burrell.
Courtney Oakes is Sentinel Colorado Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Sentinel Prep Sports
REGIS JESUIT AT USA HOCKEY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Semifinals: Edina Junior Gold 2, Regis Jesuit 1 (SO)
Quarterfinals: Regis Jesuit 4, Pine Richland 1
Pool play
Regis Jesuit 5, Cleveland Wildcats 3
Rustin 6, Regis Jesuit 1
Regis Jesuit 2, North Broward Prep 1