CENTENNIAL — Regis Jesuit is going back to the state ice hockey Frozen Four.
The Raiders secured their eighth straight state ice hockey semifinal berth by beating Resurrection Christian 3-0 Saturday at the Family Sports Ice Arena.
“They were playing their best game against us, so we had to play just as well,” Regis Jesuit junior goalie Sam Gartner said.
In a physical game that saw two of Resurrection Christian’s top players — captains John Tower and Zach Lish — ejected, the Raiders prevailed using a deep roster that wore down their opponents.
Cade Alcock scored his fourth goal of the season nine minutes into the first period to give Regis Jesuit an early 1-0 lead.
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John Kane scored on a power-play goal in the second period to give Regis a 2-0 lead. A late one in the third period from Jack Kilkenny sealed the Raiders’ trip to Loveland next week.
“Our guys have not looked that far ahead. We’re celebrating this win,” Regis Jesuit coach Dan Woodley said. “We’re proud to still be alive.”
Resurrection Christian made one final push, pulling its goalie to force a 6-on-4 power play against Regis in the final two minutes.
The Raiders will meet the winner of Saturday night’s game between Mountain Vista and Monarch. Monarch has eliminated Regis Jesuit in the state semifinals each of the last two years.
“We don’t care (who we play), we just want to beat someone,” Gartner said. “Both teams are going to be good, so it doesn’t matter.”
Joe Nguyen: jnguyen@denverpost.com or
