The Glenwood Springs Demons varsity hockey team continues to outshine its small-town reputation, posting a stellar 2-0-1 record in the Mountains vs. Plains Hockey Tournament over the weekend in Colorado Springs.

The tournament pitted teams from Colorado’s mountain regions against those from the plains. While there was no championship game, Glenwood’s performance stood out. The Demons opened with a 1-1 tie against front-range rival Cheyenne Mountain on Friday, a defensive battle that showcased their grit. They followed up with back-to-back victories, defeating the Grandview Wolves 3-1 and Colorado Springs District 11 varsity 4-1.

“We’re where we want to be at the break, and we’ve worked hard to get here,” senior forward and leading scorer Jacob Stockdill said. “We know it’s only going to get tougher after the break, so we’ve got to keep putting in the work.”

The Demons remain unbeaten through their first seven games, outscoring opponents by 16 goals. Their special teams have been a driving force behind their success. Over the weekend, Glenwood allowed just one even-strength goal, which came at the tail end of a penalty kill. Their power play unit ranks among the best in the state across all divisions, rivaling powerhouse 5A programs like Regis Jesuit, Denver East, and Cherry Creek. They are also one of the least penalized teams in Colorado, leading 4A in discipline.

“Our special teams have been popping, and that’s been so important to us,” senior co-captain Wylon Deter said. “We’ve worked on our power play a lot, and it’s paying off.”

Freshman goalie Isaac Zevin continued to impress, stopping 64 of 67 shots across the three games. At six feet tall, the first-year netminder has quickly earned the respect of his teammates and coaches.

“We’ve been struggling as a group in the first periods, and Zev’s really bailed us out until we’ve found our legs,” senior co-captain Jacob Roggie said. “We’re working on improving in that area for sure.”

The Demons, dealing with some illnesses and minor injuries, are grateful for an extended two-week holiday break. The downtime will allow them to regroup, recover, and make adjustments for the remainder of the season.

“It was a marathon weekend with every game competitive,” head coach Tim Cota said. “We certainly tested our mental and physical stamina. The break will give us time to heal and fine-tune our game.”

Glenwood Springs resumes play after the New Year on Jan. 3, when they host the Battle of the Demons against the Durango Demons.