CENTENNIAL | The Cherry Creek co-op ice hockey team rebounded from a frustrating loss the previous night in a big way Saturday at Family Sports Center.
The Bruins put a five-goal defeat to Valor Christian Friday behind them with a rousing 1-0 victory over Monarch — which was undefeated and ranked first in the last CHSAANow.com coaches poll — on a third-period goal by senior Ayden Schmidt.
Schmidt, who attends Cherokee Trail, broke a scoreless tie with a great individual effort with just over 11 minutes remaining as he scored an unassisted goal (his third of the season) and senior goaltender Ethan Barnard finished off the shutout for coach Jeff Mielnicki’s Bruins.
Barnard — who allowed four goals the previous night — saved all 20 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season as Cherry Creek improved to 6-2.
Cherry Creek (which will travel out of state and won’t play again in Colorado until Jan. 20) goes on the road to play at Monarch (5-1) Feb. 11 in its final game of the regular season.
Courtney Oakes is Sentinel Colorado Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports