High School Hockey Valor Christian at Ralston Valley

By CarlAuer

December 15, 2012

On Tuesday night I made the trek over to the APEX Ice Arena for the Valor Christian and Ralston Valley hockey game. I was hoping this would be a better game than the last RV game I covered where RV beat Lewis-Palmer 9-0.

December 11th, 2012: A Valor Christian hockey player tries to control the puck in the game against the Ralston Valley Mustangs at the APEX Ice Arena on Tuesday night

The talk before the game started was that Valor Christian was one of the top teams in the state, so I was hopeful for a good game on both sides of the puck.

December 11th, 2012: A Valor Christian hockey player slaps a shot in the game against the Ralston Valley Mustangs at the APEX Ice Arena on Tuesday night

I was smarter this time too. Last game it was warm out and I showed up to the rink in shorts, my MaxPreps polo and just about froze to death. So this time I wore jeans and brought a jacket and gloves. I was much warmer.

December 11th, 2012: A Ralston Valley hockey player brings the puck down the ice in the game against the Ralston Valley Mustangs at the APEX Ice Arena on Tuesday night

Unfortunately, it was obvious from the start that Ralston Valley was going to be too much for Valor Christian to handle. RV scored 5 goals in the first period alone and held Valor scoreless.

December 11th, 2012: The Ralston Valley goalie watches the action in the game against Valor at the APEX Ice Arena on Tuesday night

In the second period, RV tacked on a sixth goal, but did allow Valor one goal. In the third, things got a little physical.

December 11th, 2012: A Valor Christian hockey player makes a break up the ice with the puck in the game against the Ralston Valley Mustangs at the APEX Ice Arena on Tuesday night

After being checked a little hard, an RV player retaliated with a aggressive slash and was given a 5 minute trip to the penalty box. Later in the period, a RV and Valor player got into a shoving match and both ended up in the penalty box.

December 11th, 2012: A Valor Christian hockey player with the puck in the game against the Ralston Valley Mustangs at the APEX Ice Arena on Tuesday night

Valor did hold RV scoreless in the 3rd, but were unable to put more than one more goal on the scoreboard and would fall to RV 6-2.

December 11th, 2012: A Ralston Valley hockey player chases the puck down the ice in the game against the Ralston Valley Mustangs at the APEX Ice Arena on Tuesday night

I am really impressed with the Ralston Valley hockey team. They have great ice awareness, and a full roster of talent. So far, early in the season, they look like they might be the team to beat to win a State Championship.