ARVADA — The quest for perfection will have to wait another year.
Regis spoiled Ralston Valley’s run at an undefeated regular season Tuesday with a 3-2 victory at the Apex Ice Arena. That result made it a three-team race for the top spot in the Foothills League, with Kent Denver the other contender.
“Coach says, ‘It’s hard to get on top, and it’s even harder to stay on top,’ and we’ve been working our butts off,” said Regis’ Nick Carey, who accounted for all three of the Raiders’ goals. “It’s always nice to beat the No. 1 team.”
Regis improved 11-1-1 overall, 5-0-1. Ralston Valley dropped to 12-1-1, 5-1. Kent Denver is 6-0-1 in Foothills League play, with a game against Ralston Valley on Feb. 15.
Regis took advantage of its one and only power play, late in the first period. Carey, who scored the game-winner eight seconds into overtime Saturday against Chatfield with an assist from Connor Hayes, worked even quicker Tuesday. The Raiders’ same combination scored just six seconds into their man-advantage.
Carey struck again 22 seconds later. Nobody picked him up at the blue line, and Carey skated in uncontested against Mustangs goalie Matt Hardiek, and scored.
Regis goalie David Nowicki did his part, stopping 30-of-32 shots, including a big stop of Justin Hoffman on a 2-on-1 opportunity late in the third.
“We would have liked to have run the table, but that’s not possible now,” said Ralston Valley coach John McKibbon, whose team was bidding to become the first undefeated team in the 33 years of the sport. “Only time will tell if it comes back to work as a positive.”
Regis 2 1 0 — 3
Ralston Valley 0 1 1 — 2
First period — RJ: Carey (Hayes), 13:10 pp; Carey (unassisted), 13:32. Penalties — Stack, RJ (tripping), 3:36; Stansbury, RV (slashing), 13:04. Second period — RV: Greene (Knutson, Kanai), 3:25; RJ: Carey (Johnston, Hayes), 5:08. Penalties — Ottenbreit, RJ (hooking, 10:09. Third period — RV: Knutson (Graf), 4:23. Penalties — None.
Shots on goal — Regis 6-7-3 — 16; Ralston Valley 7-15-10 — 32. Saves — Regis (Nowicki) 7-14-9 — 30; Ralston Valley (Hardiek) 4-6-3 — 13. Power-play opportunities — Regis 1-for-1; Ralston Valley 0-for-2.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
