The Colorado 14ers claimed bragging rights as they defeated the BHC Lady RoughRiders 3-1 in the Girls 14U AA Colorado Amateur Hockey Association State Championship at Sport Stable in Superior on Feb. 26. 

These teams met four times this year with the Lady RoughRiders securing three out of four victories, including a shootout victory in last week’s Boulder Breakout Championship game.  

With the Lady RoughRiders winning the previous two matchups, 14ers coach Pavel Jakuba emphasized maintaining a sense of pride to his team heading into the final game of the season. 

“You can beat us twice, but you’re not going to beat us three times in a row,” Jakuba said.   

The Lady RoughRiders started the game in a dominant fashion, outshooting the 14ers 8-5 in the first period. They applied pressure from the start, forcing 14ers starting goalie Abi Bento to make save after save as the puck flew off sticks of the Lady Roughriders’ shifty forwards. 

The 14ers flipped the script in the second period, out shooting the Lady RoughRiders 6-3. BHC Lady RoughRiders goaltender Zoey Bonney continued her streak of excellence between the pipes in the second period, gloving shots and showing why she was the 14U AA Western Girls Hockey League leader in games started and save percentage for goalies who played more than four games.  

Pavel preached determination as the game was dead even in score (0-0) and shots (11 apiece).  

“There comes that final moment where a player needs to take that responsibility onto their shoulders,” Jakuba said. “They need to want it more.” 

And that’s exactly what happened when 14ers’ leading scorer Bea Weidenmayer opened the scoring with a goal just 36 seconds into the third period. She quickly followed that goal with an assist on an Isabella Choi goal two minutes later to put the 14ers ahead 2-0. The 14ers cheered and banged their sticks on the boards as they finally broke open this low scoring game. 

The Lady RoughRiders retaliated as Leena Kelley found the back of the net with nine minutes remaining. As momentum immediately shifted in favor of the Lady RoughRiders, the 14ers found themselves experiencing déjà vu. Jakuba quickly reminded his team that last week it was leading the same Lady Roughriders squad 2-0 before ultimately losing 3-2.  

“Guys, do not let go,” Jakuba said. “Now is the time to hustle even more.”  

And that was the difference. While the Lady RoughRiders pushed the pace for the remainder of the game, they ultimately could not find the tying goal. The Lady RoughRiders were responsible for all three minor penalties in the game, including a high sticking call that led to the game-clinching, empty-net power-play goal with 1:08 left in the third period.  

Bento offered an assessment of the 14ers’ season after the game. 

"We struggled with consistency [throughout] the season, but we pulled through and won this last game because we deserved it,” she said.