The Durango High School hockey team shut out the visiting Mullen Mustangs 4-0 on Friday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink.
The Demons started attacking early and often, but their first couple of breakaways were saved.
Twelve minutes into the first period, however, Nick Best scored what ended up being the game-winning goal for DHS. The Demons brought the puck up on a 2-on-1 opportunity, but Mullen blocked a pass to stop the initial try. DHS quickly regained possession and kept the puck on Mullen’s side of the ice, then passed it to Best who buried a long wrist shot to open the scoring.
DHS added some insurance with 23 seconds remaining in the first when Loudon Doemland found the back of the net to give Durango a 2-0 advantage heading into the second.
Mullen tested goalie Evan Brock with a couple early shots in the second, but Brock blocked them to keep the Mustangs off the scoreboard. Brock ended up making 14 saves in the game to earn the shutout. Later in the second, Mullen had a fast break opportunity, but Mitch Rhodus skated back and broke it up.
The Demons then added to their lead.
Mateo Bubulo chased down a puck in Mullen territory and had no one between him and the goalie when he received it. Bubulo capitalized on the opportunity and put DHS up 3-0 with a goal.
DHS killed off a late power play to take the 3-0 advantage into the third.
The Demons had some nice passing to begin the third and kept the pressure on Mullen. Best fired a hard backhand, but just missed high.
With just under 4 minutes remaining, the Demons added one more goal. DHS had a 2-on-1, and Sawyer Jones decided to keep the puck rather than pass it. Jones then fired a wrist shot off the bottom of crossbar and in to put the Demons up 4-0.
Mullen attacked late to try and break up the shutout, but Brock made some tough saves with 1:30 and :45 left on the clock.
Best, Zach Griswold, Rhodus and Doemland all assisted on goals for DHS in the win, which was the team’s second straight. DHS also beat Liberty 6-3 its last time on the ice and is currently 4-6-1 overall and 1-4-1 in the 4A Mountain division after the nonleague wins. Mullen slipped to 2-11-0.
Twelve different Demons have now scored goals this season, led by Doemland and Pol Cavaller with four apiece. Best leads the team in assists with five.
Next week, DHS will play three league games, all on the road.
The Demons will play at Crested Butte (9-2-1, 3-1-0) on Monday.
DHS will then play Battle Mountain (4-6-1, 0-4-1) in Edwards on both Thursday and Friday.
