The Fossil Ridge Sabercats hockey team took to the ice at Edora Pool and Ice Center (EPIC) to play the Front Range Rangers on Sunday, March 25.  Both teams are a part of the High Plains Hockey League and each team is composed of players from various schools within a similar area. From getting checked into the boards and diving for the puck these talented bunch of Sabercats played an excellent game that they won 9-7.

First period began slowly with mostly play in the center ice and Fossil occasionally would take the puck up for an attempted shot. It was the Rangers who scored first during the game and then scored almost thirty seconds after to take a 2-0 lead. Undeterred the Sabercats fought for control of the puck and shot one right into the Ranger’s net. Both teams battled with their sticks and bodies to have control of the puck, but Fossil Ridge won the puck again and scored to tie it up. The first period looked like a tie until Front Range shot in the final minutes to take the lead over the Sabercats 2-3.

Second period showed a more prominent defensive line, unlike the first period. Together their offense and defense worked together to connect passes and make better plays. This smarter play helped the Sabercats take and maintain the lead over the Rangers for a majority of the period. The Rangers couldn’t keep up with Fossil Ridge’s speed and stick handling until they began to out maneuver the Sabercats. Just like the first period Front Range scored in the last few minutes to take the lead again. Not to trail behind the Rangers two periods in a row Fossil Ridge scored a goal to tie it up 5-5.

In the third period both teams became more aggressive, rattling the boards most of the final period. An intense moment when a Front Range player barreled into the Sabercats goal, knocking it off it’s post, caused parents and players alike to question whether or not it was a goal. The goal wasn’t counted and play went on after the goal was reset. Fossil Ridge scored three more times during the period and took the game 9-7.