Durango captain Boden Ensign, left, battles for the puck against Albuquerque Bears on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
The Durango varsity high school hockey team won its home opener against the Albuquerque Bears on Saturday morning at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink, 11-3.
“They did well,” said Durango head coach Brian Ensign. “We limited turnovers and created turnovers. We definitely had more puck possession, and won about 65% of the face offs.”
Henry Howe scored the first two goals of the game for Durango and added a third just 14 seconds into the second period to finish with hat trick.
“Henry is a pretty prolific goal scorer,” Ensign said. “Our scheme is puck possession – moving the puck quickly, finding the easy pass. When we do that, the other team gets out of position.”
Howe also assisted three goals in the contest to earn a play-maker.
Zac Wentworth of Durango fires a shot at the Albuquerque Bears goal on Saturday at Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Wentworth scored four goals in the game. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Assistant captain Zak Wentworth scored with a wrist shot late in the first to give Durango a 3-1 lead. Wentworth added another goal in the second and scored two more in the third period to also finish with a hat trick.
Durango goalie Evan Brock stops an Albuquerque Bears shot on Saturday at Chapman Hill Ice Rink. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Captain Boden Ensign and Cristoff Hollowell also scored in the second period to give Durango a 7-2 lead. Hollowell’s goal came in the final second of the period, just beating the buzzer.
Durango fired its first shot of the third period about five seconds in, but Albuquerque was able to score first. Durango responded by scoring the last four goals. Eli Holden scored once in the period and then, with five seconds left in the game, Ensign made a perfect pass to Hollowell in front of the net and Hollowell deflected it right into the goal for the final margin.
The two teams were scheduled to play again at 6:45 p.m. Saturday.
The Demons compete in the Rio Grande High School Hockey League, which includes teams from Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. Last year, because of COVID-19, Durango was able to play some games, but the league didn’t hold a a regular season. In 2019/2020, however, Durango won the league’s championship.
“We made team goals and it was pretty consensus that they want to repeat as Rio Grande state champs,” coach Ensign said. “That’s their focus and we have a team that has the capability.”
Zac Wentworth of Durango fires a shot at the Albuquerque Bears goal on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Wentworth scored four goals in the game.
Jerry McBride
The Durango Demons play the Albuquerque Bears on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink.
Jerry McBride
Durango celebrates a goal against the Albuquerque Bears on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Durango High School celebrates a goal against the Albuquerque Bears on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Durango goalie Evan Brock stops an Albuquerque Bears shot on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Boden Ensign, left, of Durango battles for the puck against the Albuquerque Bears on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
The Durango Demons played a physical game against the Albuquerque Bears on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Durango plays a physical game against the Albuquerque Bears on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
William Downey of Durango takes a shot at the Albuquerque Bears goal on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Julia Glotfelty of Durango battles for the puck against the Albuquerque Bears on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Durango Demons’ head hockey coach Brian Ensign talks with his team as they play the Albuquerque Bears on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Cristoff Hollowell of Durango watches his shot glide past the Albuquerque Bears goalie on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Cristoff Hollowell of Durango celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Albuquerque Bears on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Zak Wentworth of Durango watches his shot sail past the Albuquerque Bears’ goalie on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Julia Glotfelty of Durango battles for the puck against the Albuquerque Bears on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Boden Ensign of moves the puck against the Albuquerque Bears on Saturday at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
