Ralston Valley goalie Scott Albertoni (31) makes a save on a shot from Dakota Ridge forward Jacob Gombos (5) during the third period Tuesday at the Edge Ice Arena. The two-team defending state champion Mustangs took a 3-0 victory over the Eagles. (Dennis Pleuss)
LITTLETON — There will be no undefeated season for Ralston Valley’s hockey team this year. However, the ultimate goal of a third straight state championship is still well within reach for the Mustangs.
“It kind of always was about winning a third (state title),” Ralston Valley captain Joe Millar said of the team’s focus for the two-time defending state champions. “We just want to win a third. After you win there is a ton of pressure to keep it. All we want to do is do it again.”
Ralston Valley is zeroing in on finishing strong the final few weeks of the regular season. The Mustangs, ranked No. 3 in this week’s CHSAANow.com hockey poll, took a big step in staying atop the Foothills League with a 3-0 victory against No. 4 Dakota Ridge on Tuesday at the Edge Ice Arena.
Ralston Valley forward Ian Snedden (21) and Dakota Ridge forward Andrew Endsley (2) battle on a face-off during the second period Tuesday. (Dennis Pleuss)
“Dakota Ridge gave us all we could handle. They sent a message beating Monarch 5-0 last week,” Millar said. “Now I think we proved we are still relevant in the state and a contender.”
The Mustangs (12-1, 9-0 in Foothills League) got first-period goals from Cole Noel and Tony Salazar to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Stefan Fruhwirth scored on a breakaway goal midway through the third period to make the score 3-0.
Goalie Scott Albertoni and the Mustangs’ defense did the rest handing Dakota Ridge (12-2, 7-2) its first shutout loss of the season.
“My team really helped me out a lot. The defense was the key,” said Albertoni as he improved his record to 7-1 in net on the season. “If I don’t have guys in front of me battling I can’t do much. Guys were definitely sacrificing their bodies and blocking shots.”
Dakota Ridge wasn’t able to take advantage of three power plays. The Eagles even had a 6-on-3 with less than two minutes to play after they pulled goalie Joey Owston, but Albertoni denied Dakota Ridge’s late barrage.
“Things always start in the defensive zone and works out from there,” Ralston Valley coach Matt Schoepflin said of the Mustangs’ fifth shutout victory on the season. “We have really been focusing on that and I think we can get better defensively. I definitely think we are moving in the right direction.”
Ralston Valley has been trending the right way after having its 42-game unbeaten streak dating back to the 2012-13 season snapped Jan. 23 with a 4-3 loss to No. 2 Mountain Vista. Since that loss, Ralston Valley has outscored its last four opponents 26-2.
Dakota Ridge tested the Mustangs early in the first period controlling puck possession for the first five minutes. Noel was able to deflect an outside shot past Owston at the 6:59 mark to give the Mustangs the lead and momentum.
“We realized we had to pick it up,” Millar said of the opening period. “We finally did.”
Dakota Ridge defenseman Jack Bonniwell (28) attempts to clear the puck out of the Eagles’ offensive zone as Ralston Valley forward Jeff Moffat (14) closes in during the first period Tuesday. (Dennis Pleuss)
Salazar scored with less than three seconds remaining in the first period to provide a 2-0 lead. Ralston Valley’s leading scorer skated in front of the net before firing a shot past Owston.
Fruhwirth’s breakaway goal in the third period provided a little extra cushion.
“Tonight is one of those character wins. Dakota Ridge is a good team, a gritty team,” Schoepflin said. “It maybe wasn’t the flashiest win, but I like the way our whole team competed tonight. Top to bottom we played a strong game.”
Dakota Ridge has another huge league test when the Eagles face No. 5 Cherry Creek at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Family Sports Center in Aurora. A third conference loss would likely keep Dakota Ridge from finishing in the top two of the league and prevent the Eagles from hosting a regional.
Ralston Valley also skates Saturday. The Mustangs return to their home ice at the Apex Ice Arena in Arvada where they will drop the puck against Aspen at 2:30 p.m.
Earning a top seed and hosting in the early rounds of the playoffs on Feb. 27 and 28 is a goal the Mustangs have had since the beginning of the season.
“I think it’s a big advantage to us playing on our home ice,” Schoepflin said. “We get great crowds and a great atmosphere.”
Ralston Valley forward Cody Noel (6) dives for a loose puck in front of Dakota Ridge goalie Joey Owston (1) and forward Tony Carpenito (17) during the Foothills League game Tuesday at the Edge Ice Arena. Noel’s scored in the first period on the way to a 3-0 victory for the Mustangs. (Dennis Pleuss)