The Glenwood Springs Demons varsity hockey team started 2025 strong, picking up where they left off in 2024.

To kick off the new year, Glenwood hosted the Battle of the Demons, as Durango’s varsity team trekked through the San Juan Mountains only to be bested by one of the state’s top high school hockey teams. Glenwood defeated Durango in two hard-fought games over the weekend, winning 5-3 on Friday night and 3-1 on Saturday afternoon.

The 2025 edition of the Battle of the Demons carried extra drama. The teams last met in the 2024 4A State Championship Tournament semifinals, when Durango, the eventual state champion, knocked Glenwood out of the tournament.

“We wanted to redeem ourselves from the loss in semis,” Glenwood head coach Tim Cota said. “Durango has great goaltending, and they play great together. They are a well-coached team all the way around. It’s always fun to play them as we know them well, but there (was) another added layer of pressure due to last year’s loss and the important conference points. Let it go, but always remember and learn from that experience so you can get better.”

Glenwood senior forward Jacob Stockdill has made a big impact this season after missing all of last year due to injury. His efforts off the ice are paying off, with his 10 goals leading the team through their first nine games of the season. Stockdill scored three goals over the weekend, two of which were pivotal. The first tied Friday’s game late in the second period, while the second was a stunning backhand after weaving through half of Durango’s defense, giving Glenwood the lead with five minutes left in Saturday’s third period.

“What he’s done on his rehab, throughout the summer and fall, has caught him up on his development,” Cota said of Stockdill.

Durango struck first in both games at the Glenwood Ice Rink, but Glenwood’s determination and personal vendetta against their namesake rival helped them fight back. Senior co-captain Jacob Roggie and junior forward Brady Luetke had standout performances Friday night, each scoring two goals to complement Stockdill’s big second-period goal. While Stockdill leads the team in goals, Luetke (6) and Roggie (5) are close behind.

Freshman goalkeeper Issac Zevin faced only 13 shots during Saturday’s game as Glenwood’s dominant offense kept the pressure on. Stockdill scored twice, and freshman center Weston Jacober added another in the victory. Glenwood’s high-powered offense peppered Durango’s goalie with 98 shots over 100 minutes of hockey.

“We look forward to improving each game and try not to look at it from a win/loss perspective,” Cota said. “We ask ourselves whether we moved forward from the last game. Progression or regression. This past weekend was our six best periods of the year, team-wise. The structure was there from everyone.”

The Demons have little time to rest after their weekend series. They travel to Colorado Springs on Monday to face the 3-5 Rampart Rams and will host the Steamboat Springs Sailors on Friday.