LITTLETON — The Peak to Peak Pumas took out their frustration on the new kids.
Smarting a bit after outshooting Rampart but losing 2-1 Friday night, the Pumas christened Valor Christian’s program opener Saturday night with 10-0 rout at the Ice Ranch.
The Pumas (1-1) outhit the younger and depleted Eagles, outshot them 54-11, scored two short-handed goals and initiated the running clock with 5:02 remaining in the second period.
“We went in the corners, we dug it out, we got a lot of shots,” Pumas forward Travis Fleming said. “Against Rampart, we weren’t able to just connect with the back of the net. With this game, it looks like we did a pretty good job.”
The Pumas showed off their superior speed, stick handling, vision and muscle — sometimes simultaneously — to make sure the Eagles (0-1) could not build off two early scoring chances.
Fleming, Jace Artichoker and Buster Hebda had two goals apiece, Shay Longtain had a goal and three assists, and Ian Hamilton had a goal and assist for the 2006 champions.
The Pumas outshot the Eagles 19-4 in the first period and 20-4 in the second, while starting goalie Jake Hebda and substitute Jacob Jones combined to stop 11 shots for the shutout.
“Really, just trying to work not as individuals, but trying to pass it more,” Artichoker said of the Pumas’ game plan against the Eagles.
The Eagles’ debut began with long odds that were scheduled to get longer. Eagles coach Kurt Crockett, whose 17-player roster was already thin due to injury and a family vacation, played the third period with just three defensemen and two lines as several players left to attend a Christmas program at the school.
“I’m very excited about this team and to have the opportunity to coach them,” Crockett said. “I love taking a good, young hockey team and developing them. We got a lot of great kids.”
The Eagles, who have no seniors and seven freshmen on the team, nearly got off to a dream start as freshman forward Justin Hawkins stole a pass at the blue line and broke free. Hawkins tried a fake and shot but was stoned by Jake Hebda.
The Pumas answered 50 seconds later when Longtain flew down the left side and threw a perfect pass to the right side that Hamilton stabbed into the roof of the goal to make it 1-0.
Peak to Peak 3 4 3 — 10
Valor Christian 0 0 0 — 0
First period — Hamilton (Longtain) 11:30; Francis (Brewer) 8:46; B. Hebda (Johnson) 5:31. Penalties — Manning, VC, (tripping) 10:55.
Second period — Fleming (Hamilton, Longtain) 14:08; Artichoker (Bruce) 11:50; B. Hebda (Ross) 10:45; Artichoker (unassisted) 5:02 sh. Penalties — Brewer, PTP, (cross check) 6:36.
Third period — Fleming (Fitzgerald, Longtain) 9:47; Longtain (unassisted) 5:24 sh; Silver (unassisted) 1:46. Penalties — Ross, PTP, (roughing) 6:09.
Saves — Peak to Peak (J. Hebda, Jones) 4-4-3 – 11; Valor Christian (Kluth, Tracy) 16-16-12 – 44. Power-play opportunities – Peak to Peak 0-for-1; Valor Christian 0-for-2.
