The Durango hockey team has had plenty of experience in close games only three games into its season. The Demons traveled to Gunnison to play a few games against some good competition starting last Thursday. Durango lost to Colorado Academy 6-5 on Thursday, beat Cheyenne Mountain 2-1 on Friday and tied Standley Lake 2-2 in overtime on Saturday.
Standley Lake was ranked first in 4A in the CHSAA preseason rankings. Cheyenne Mountain was second in 4A and Durango was fourth. Colorado Academy was tied for ninth.
On Thursday, Durango had a 3-1 lead over Colorado Academy after the first period. Colorado Academy responded with a 3-1 second period to tie the game 4-4 going into the third period. The Mustangs outscored the Demons 2-1 in the third period for a 6-5 win.
“It was a lot of getting our nerves out,” Durango hockey interim head coach Will Daniels said. “A lot of these kids first were in their first varsity game ever. The first period was a little shaky, but we pulled it off and got some good puck luck. We kind of lost our composure once they started fighting back and we just couldn't pull it back together.”
Junior Leyton Holbrook led Durango with two goals against Colorado Academy. Junior forwards Wynn Daniels, Sawyer Jones and Seamus McParland-Daab each had a goal. Daniels also had two assists and so did sophomore forward Baker Blount. Sophomore Cooper Linn also had an assist.
Senior goaltender Evan Brock had 29 saves in the game. Daniels said the team had some issues in transition and some defensive lapses.
Durango took a 2-0 lead in the first period against Cheyenne Mountain on Friday. Cheyenne Mountain scored its only goal in the second period. Holbrook and McParland-Daab each had a goal. Blunt and junior Sawyer Jones each had an assist. Senior goaltender Luka Remec had 41 saves in the win.
On Saturday, Durango had a 1-0 lead against Standley Lake after the first period. Standley Lake responded with two goals in the second period while Durango only had one to tie the game up at 2-2. Neither team could score in the third period or overtime.
McParland-Daab had both goals for the Demons. Jones, Blount and senior defender Connor Jones each had an assist. Remec had 51 saves in the tie.
Durango is back in action on Dec. 6 at home against Steamboat Springs at 4:45 p.m.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
