Mike Provenzano hasn’t had to use “the streak” as motivation … yet.
The Cheyenne Mountain hockey coach may have to this weekend.
The Indians, seeded fourth in the 16-team state hockey bracket, travel to Breckenridge’s Stephen C. West Arena, for what they hope is the first two rounds of the state hockey tournament and a 32nd consecutive trip to the state semifinals.
“I don’t bring it up,” said Provenzano, who is seeking his fifth state title. “But the way we’ve been up and down, I’m awfully tempted. We’ve been great for stretches and we’ve gone out there and just stunk it up.”
Cheyenne Mountain (14-3-2), co-champion along with Air Academy of the Peak Conference, is led by Alex Lofthus. The senior has scored 18 goals and added 18 assists. The list of offensive weapons doesn’t stop there. Freshman Matt Tritsch (14 goals, 15 assists) and Matt Lee (10 and 14) are just a few others to watch.
The Indians’ roller-coaster ride of a season hit its low point two weeks ago with a 5-3 loss at Pueblo County.
“I’m not happy about having to travel,” said Provenzano, who opens with Rampart on Friday night at 5 p.m. “But we made our bed, now we have to sleep in it.”
First-year Ralston Valley (15-1-2), champion of the Foothills Conference, nabbed the top seed and opens with Bishop Machebeuf (9-10), a semifinalist a season ago that gets forward Mark Owen back in the lineup, at The Edge in Littleton. The winner faces Standley Lake or Battle Mountain in Saturday’s quarterfinals.
Defending champion Peak to Peak hosts No. 3 Aspen at 6 p.m. at Superior in Lafayette and will be followed by Lewis-Palmer and Kent Denver.
Two one-goal game rematches will be on hand at Sertich Ice Arena in Colorado Springs.
Pueblo County beat Pine Creek 2-1 during the regular season and No. 2 seed Air Academy traveled to Steamboat Springs last weekend and beat the Sailors 1-0.
