Pine Creek and Cheyenne Mountain’s ice hockey teams have each enjoyed solid starts to the season as both schools head to their January contests. And with the Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic slated for this month, lovers of prep ice hockey have a slate chock full of exciting games. Below is a sni ppet on the Eagles’ and Red-Tailed Hawks’ year so far and the upcoming outdoor hockey event. Pine Creek unbeaten through eight contests The Eagles followed their stellar 2024-25 campaign with a hot start to this season. Pine Creek ranks third in the recent Colorado High School Activities Association weekly 4A polls and owns a 7-0-1 record. Pine Creek remained unbeaten and forced a tie against Lewis-Palmer in both teams’ final game before holiday break. The Eagles trailed the Rangers heading to the third period, but the Eagles outscored the Rangers 2-1 in the third, forced a shootout and ended the game in a tie. Aside from the close call with L-P, the Eagles have punished their opponents and have three shutouts and three victories by six or more goals. Pine Creek’s offense is powered by Henry Hoghaug and Riley Miltko, who are tied for second in 4A with 16 points. Miltko leads 4A with 11 assists in eight contests.   The Eagles advanced last year to the semifinals after a 13-5-2 season and return a wealth of experience from that final four team. Cheyenne Mountain looking to return to dominance after strong start The Red-Tailed Hawks earned their sixth victory in their eighth game this season. In the 2024-25 campaign, Cheyenne Mountain needed 12 contests to reach that mark. Cheyenne Mountain has compiled a 6-4 record after a 9-9-2 mark last year and are fifth in 4A in CHSAA’s weekly polls. The Red-Tailed Hawks have finished over .500 every year since 2018-19 and began this year on fire at 4-1. The Red-Tailed Hawks also endured a grueling six-game stretch: a win against previously unbeaten Colorado Academy; a showdown with last year’s 4A state champs, Steamboat Springs; 2025 4A runners-up Glenwood Springs; a 7-5 win against Summit; and back-to-back contests against Pine Creek. After that gantlet, the Red-Tailed Hawks emerged with a 3-3 record and scored 23 goals in the six games. Pine Creek handed the Red-Tailed Hawks consecutive losses, but Cheyenne Mountain will aim for recovery at 5 p.m. Saturday against Standley Lake. Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic set for next week Barring interference from Mother Nature, the fifth annual extravaganza will occur next week. The fifth annual Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic, slated for 6 p.m. Jan. 17, will feature four teams: Lewis-Palmer, Liberty, Chatfield and Chaparral. L-P holds the highest rank of all teams attending and is 10th in CHSAA’s weekly polls. Previously, the Outdoor Classic was set for this weekend, but, per the event’s Facebook page, “unseasonably warm temperatures … kept the Palmer Outdoor Classic ice from cooperating.” As of Tuesday afternoon, weather for Jan. 17 is expected to reach a high of 38. A far cry from the early part of January where temperatures have reached 60-plus degrees five times. ...read more read less