The Pikes Peak Miners U18 impressive season ended on Sunday afternoon with a 6-3 defeat to the Dallas Stars at the Rocky Mountain Districts Championship Game. The Miners were 4-0 heading into the championship game and had already beaten the Stars 6-2 earlier in the weekend. The rematch to see who would go to the USA Hockey Tier I National Championships did not go quite as well. Dallas put the Miners down early scoring just 2:30 into the contest and then again a 1:00 minute later to put the Miners down 2-0 and on their heels. The U18’s were never able to get their game going and fell behind 3-0 by the end of the first period. The U18’s finally settled down but couldn’t keep the Stars off the scoreboard before falling 6-3. And the Stars moving on to Nationals.

The U18 Miners finished the season ranked 12th in the country and a 38-17-3 record. The 38 win season was more for the Miners in one season then the previous 2 seasons combined. In their last 25 games the Miners had a 19-5-1 record which is a true testament to the character and team play of all 20 players. The Miners have set the precedent for next year as one of the top Tier I programs in the country. Congratulations to all players, parents, and staff on an excellent and successful season.

The Pikes Peak Miners U18 team wins Colorado State Championship!!! The Miners took on the Colorado Thunderbirds in game one winning by a score of 4-1. In game two, the Miners took on defending State Champions, Colorado Rampage, and sent them to the elimination bracket by scoring 3 goals in the 3rd period and a final score of 4-1. In the elimination bracket, the Thunderbirds beat the Rampage 2-1 in an overtime thriller. This set up a rematch of 2 weeks earlier when the Miners and Thunderbirds played in the Championship game of the Colorado Springs Jr. Tigers President's Day Tournament. After an exciting, 1-1 deadlocked game, the Miners would score with just 12 seconds left in the 3rd period for the win and the coveted title of STATE CHAMPIONS! Congratulations to all players and coaches and good luck in Salt Lake City!

The Miners U18's and the Colorado Thunderbirds were proud to be part of the events for the The Colorado Youth Hockey Foundation. Poker Night followed the game and was attended by some of the top hockey folks in Colorado including Tony Granato, Joe Sakic, and Avalanche General Manager Francois Giguere. The Foundation raises money to help keep kids on the ice by helping out youth and families in need of financial assistance to get through the hockey season. The Miners topped the Thunderbirds 7-5 in an exciting game and started off a great night for the Foundation.