Since losing in the state final last March, the 2025 Summit boys hockey team and head coach Chris Miller have made the necessary adjustments to be a contender for the state trophy this winter.

After a huge win against No. 5 Cheyenne Mountain High School on Tuesday, Feb. 25 in Breckenridge, No. 4 Summit traveled to Colorado Springs to take on No. 1 Glenwood Springs in the state semifinal on Saturday, March 1.

Familiar with the Glenwood Springs Demons after splitting the two-game 4A Mountain league series with the team, Summit wasted no time in the first period. The Tigers quickly sliced into the top sheet of ice at Colorado College’s Ed Robson Arena and began searching for a goal.

The majority of the first frame consisted of back-and-forth possessions with both teams recording shots on goal and seeing quality scoring chances.

About 10 minutes into the first period, senior forward Graham Schuman picked up the puck in the high slot and ripped a shot over the shoulder of freshman goalie Issac Zevin to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.

The goal led to some subsequent chances for the Tigers, but the team was not able to net a second goal before the end of the first period.

Trailing 1-0, Glenwood Springs began the second period by slinging shots toward senior goalie Matthew Tater. Riding high off his shutout win against Cheyenne Mountain on Tuesday night, Tater remained hot between the pipes and made great saves. 

The game then saw the first power play of the game when a Glenwood Springs skater was called for tripping. The Summit power play unit swung the puck throughout the offensive zone, but was not able to find a goal.

Almost immediately following the Summit power play, Glenwood Springs got a chance on its own power play.The Demons teed shots off in the direction of Tater, but the senior goalie did a great job at stopping the puck and preventing second-chance opportunities.

After killing off the penalty, Summit managed to widen its lead when junior defenseman Owen Lewis buried a shot behind Zevin. The goal, which was assisted by senior Eli Powers, put Summit up 2-0 with over six minutes remaining in the second frame.

In need of a goal, Glenwood Springs managed to cut Summit’s lead in half, scoring quickly on its second power play of the game. As the stadium announcer was giving credit to senior Wylon Deter for the goal, Glenwood Springs scored again off a rebound shot. 

Reeling from the two goals, Summit attempted to settle back into the game. The Tigers slowed play a little, but committed a penalty in the final moments of the period. Summit defended its net and headed into the locker rooms tied 2-2 with Glenwood Springs.

With a burning desire to play on Monday night at University of Denver, Summit returned to the ice where the team once again leaned on its strengths. The Tigers chased after loose pucks, shut down offensive opportunities and looked for chances to record a possible game-winning goal.

The two league rivals skated up and down the ice searching for a goal, but both team’s net minders and defensive units kept the puck from finding the back of the net. As the game ticked under six minutes remaining, it felt as if Glenwood Springs had the majority of the momentum.

Seeing more chances than Summit, Glenwood Springs lurked in front of Tater and searched for a state-final clinching goal.The Demons sent several threatening shots towards Tater, but the seasoned goalie moved rapidly in the blue crease to make the save.

With under 30 seconds remaining, Summit pinned the puck in its offensive zone. Summit tried to execute off of a face off, but could not find a goal. The game advanced into overtime with the score tied at 2-2.

Summit continued to play tight defense in the first three minutes of the eight-minute overtime period. Once Summit was able to fight off the early advances from Glenwood Springs, the Tigers were able to establish their offense and send shots towards Zevin.

A few chances grew close to finding the twine at the back of the net, but they were stopped short.

As the game grew closer to advancing to a second overtime period, senior Sam Rosenberg sent a fiery shot over the shoulder of Tater to win the game. The 3-2 victory sends Glenwood Springs to the state final and ends Summit’s season.

Glenwood Springs will take on No. 2 Steamboat Springs in the state final at Magness Arena at the University of Denver at 5 p.m.