Los Alamos, Cibola tops in New Mexico high school states
Two New Mexico Interscholastic Ice Hockey League high school state championship games were played March 12 with a pair of champions crowned in the two divisions.
In the pure championship (all players from the same school), Los Alamos defeated Taos 2-1. The composite (players from more than one school) affair saw Cibola shut out Durango 2-0.
“Our team really came together late in the season and played its best hockey when it counted,” said Los Alamos coach Kevin Brake. “Our team had a lot of depth this season, which was key due to the lack of any of the league’s top goal scorers. We did not have the type of high-level goal scorers that some of the other teams in the league had, so we had to get a complete team effort in order for us to be successful.
“Once the tournament came around, all three forward lines produced and played well, while our goaltending was great and our defense really cut down on the quality opportunities that we had been giving up earlier in the year.”
In the title game in Taos, Carson Schramm potted the game-winning goal and Isaac Dunwoody made 33 saves in goal. Angel Cruz finished with 24 saves for Taos.
Max Hoffman fashioned a 24-save shutout for Cibola in the championship game in Rio Rancho, while Tylec Kohlrust scored both goals for the Cougars.
“The biggest key to winning the state championship was the way this team came together like a family and how they worked hard for each and not just themselves,” Cibola coach Brett Lovette said. “We had a locker room full of players that trusted each other, loved each other, and wanted to play their hearts out for each other.
“Our program is not just about hockey, it is about developing young men and women of character who will be positive members in our community. So it is awesome to see that happening before our eyes.”
Durango goaltender Colin Thorburn stopped 27 shots in the loss.
— Matt Mackinder