CHRISTIAN HOLTON

Mountain Vista High School’s Ice hockey team has high expectations for the 2014-2015 season.

 Vista was ranked fifth in the state according to the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) preseason rankings. Despite being upset in the second round of the playoffs last season, Vista boasted an impressive 19-2 record, with their only losses being to the State Champions Ralston Valley and Regis Jesuit.

 Vista had 185 goals for last season, which was 51 more than the next closest school Ralston Valley. Vista’s defensive play last year was just as impressive as their offensive production. Allowing less than a goal a game, their goals against average was second to Ralston Valley.

 Though every game is important in the season, Vista’s key games this year are on Jan. 9, against defending runner up Monarch High School, Jan. 23, against defending state champions Ralston Valley High School, and the last game of the season on Feb. 21, against Regis High School.

 “I think we have a strong team this year,” Junior Timmy Starr said. “We are challenging ourselves this year to be a tight group and if we can accomplish that, then I think we will do a lot of damage in the playoffs.”