In their final series before the holiday break league leading Pikes Peak welcomed the fifth place Colorado Thunderbirds to Sertich Ice Center for a pair of RMJHL games. In a surprising result the teams split the two-game set.
With just one loss on their season Pikes Peak looked to conclude 2016 with a home sweep along with a message to the rest of the league – catch us if you can. On Friday the Miners played the part scoring a dominant 6-3 victory, outshooting the Thunderbirds 57-37. Six different players scored for the Miners including Trevor Paradise, who also added three assists. Goaltender Erik Anderson (12-0-0-0) remained unbeaten this season making 34 saves.
The rematch looked very different on Saturday with the visitors taking a 1-0 lead just 3:47 into the game on a goal scored by Devin Coombe. The goal was the only score of the first period.
Kole Mudra got the Miners on the scoreboard early into the second period scoring his 24th tally of the season. It would not be long before the Thunderbirds would retake a lead though as Mason Akers scored at 11:36 to make the score 2-1. Colorado dominated play in the period outshooting the home team 21-10.
A goal by Eric Wilson had Colorado on top 3-1 at 5:32 of the third and the Thunderbirds seemed poised for the upset. With under five minutes remaining Pikes Peak would rally to tie on goals scored by Paradise and Trevor Alldredge.
The Pikes Peak goals came just :34 apart and had the home crowd back into the game. The momentum was quickly silenced though when Joe Losasso scored the game winner at 18:22. Just the fourth win of the season, the T-birds (4-13-0-1) proved they could play with anyone heading into 2017.
Gage Overby picked up the victory in net for the Thunderbirds stopping 28 of 31 shots while Matty Taylor (42 saves) took the loss. Pikes Peak record now stands at 20-2-0-0.
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