East Beats Chatfield, Knocks Off Regis

Quick And Physical Angels Head Into Playoffs With No. 1 Ranking

Story and photos by Reid Neureiter

For the GPHN

On Jan. 7, the No. 1-ranked Denver East Angels ice hockey team demolished the hapless Chatfield Chargers 9-0 on East’s home ice at Big Bear Ice Arena in Lowry.

The quick and physical Angels were led by senior forward and team captain Connor Hasse and junior defender Joseph Capra; each made two goals. Other goal-scorers included senior Connor Smithburger, senior Kaden Dunham, junior Benjamin Kluza and senior Ben Pedigo. Sophomore Noel Friedman was between the pipes, getting credit for the shutout win. East outshot Chatfield by 40 shots to 11, and could easily have won by double digits.

Relatively few high schools sponsor ice hockey programs, so players from other DPS schools (and even out-of-district schools) are permitted to play under the Angels banner. Of the 20 skaters on varsity, six attend East, five attend South and two players each come from George Washington and Northfield. One North High student is on the team as well. There are four out-of-district players, from Brighton High School, Strasburg High, and online programs.

On Jan. 22, as this issue of the newspaper was going to print, the East squad — which was ranked at No. 2 — knocked off the previously undefeated Regis Jesuit by the score of 6-3.  East has now taken over the No. 1 ranking in the state for the first time ever. East is also the 9th-ranked high school team in the country, according to MaxPreps.

East has seven more regular season games before the end of the season, concluding with home game against Standley Lake on Thursday, Feb. 10 and Ralston Valley on Saturday, Feb. 12.