Local

Nothing gives a team momentum going into the playoffs like a solid winning streak. And the Coors Light Colorado Climax ice hockey team, boasting its best record (6-1-2-1) and winning percentage in team history, has positioned itself well for the playoffs after demolishing the Cliffhangers and Black Cats in consecutive routs in Westminster, Colo., by a combined score of 17-2.  

“With a full bench and everyone healthy, we will be tough to beat,” defenseman Casey Goddard said. “It’s exciting to be able to envision us winning a championship. We really want this badly, but we have to make sure we take this thing one game at a time. I’m confident we can do that.” 

The Climax Too have one more regular season game before the playoffs begin. A win by the Toonies guarantees them no less a second seed in the bracket. If the Cliffhangers upset the division leading Rush in their last regular season game, the Toonies will capture the number one seed. 

“It’s a long shot,” Climax Too center Dave Decker said. “But a second seed is still a great place to start.” 

The Toonies crushed the Black Cats on July 23 by a score of 9-1. Defenseman Steve Brothers scored an unassisted natural hat trick, the first three-goal game of his career and a rare feat. He finished with four game points. Paul Topping also tallied a hat trick in the lopsided victory. 

“The first hat trick is always a thrill,” Brothers said. “The fact that it was a natural makes it even better.” 

A pair of first period goals by Topping and a solo score by Decker gave the Toonies a 3-0 lead. After scoring a goal at 12:25 of the first period to cut the Climax Too lead to 3-1, the Black Cats were blanked the rest of the way by goalie TJ Hawk. 

Brothers’ collected each of his three goals in the second period. Rusty Messick added a goal with an assist from Chris Empson at 15:26. Patrick Kellogg, making up for a missed scoring chance in front of a wide open net, added an unassisted goal in the third period. Topping completed the Climax Too scoring with his final goal at 7:08 with an assist from Brothers. 

On July 16, the Toonies pummeled the Cliffhangers, 8-1.  

The Coors Light Colorado Climax ice hockey teams are gay teams playing in the mainstream leagues in the metro-Denver area. Climax teams always welcome new members regardless of skill level. Interested parties can visit www.climaxhockey.org for more information and send an inquiry to info@climaxhockey.org.