As the 2024-25 high school hockey season unfolds, two competitive teams—Colorado Springs District 11 and Colorado Academy—have emerged as formidable contenders. With both squads showing strengths in different areas, a head-to-head matchup would be an intriguing battle. Let’s dive into their performances, stats, and key takeaways from the season so far.

Overall Performance & Rankings

Colorado Springs District 11 holds a 9-10 overall record, ranking 737th nationally, 27th in Colorado, and 12th in its class. Despite a sub-.500 overall record, they have dominated their league with an impressive 8-2 league record (.800 win percentage).

Meanwhile, Colorado Academy boasts a slightly stronger overall performance at 10-7-2, ranking 477th nationally, 20th in Colorado, and 7th in its class. Their league record sits at 4-4-2 (.500 win percentage), reflecting a more balanced competition level.

Scoring and Offensive Efficiency

Colorado Springs District 11 averages 5.0 goals per game, with their strongest periods coming in the second (1.6 goals) and first (1.5 goals). Their scoring dips in the third period (1.0), suggesting fatigue or defensive adjustments from opponents.

Colorado Academy, on the other hand, averages 4.1 goals per game. They score consistently throughout but peak in the third period (1.5 goals), showing resilience and strong finishing ability. They also have a slight edge in overtime performance, averaging 0.5 goals per OT period, while Colorado Springs District 11 has yet to score in overtime.

Key Players & Leaders

For Colorado Academy, #2 Rex Burstein leads with 23 goals, while #34 Noah Stull contributes significantly with 12 assists. Their goaltender, #35 JD Minor, holds a 3.4 goals-against average (GAA), which is better than the national average of 5.5 GAA.

Colorado Springs District 11 does not have individual stats listed, but their team’s offensive firepower (95 goals scored vs. 53 conceded) has been crucial to their success.

Common Opponent Performance

Against shared opponents, Colorado Springs District 11 struggled with a 3-6 record, while Colorado Academy performed better at 6-4-1.

Key results:

• Pueblo County: Colorado Academy won convincingly (9-2), while Colorado Springs District 11 lost (7-5).
• Liberty: Colorado Springs District 11 had a dominant 6-0 win but later lost 2-1. Colorado Academy lost to Liberty (2-1).
• Pine Creek: Both teams lost to Pine Creek in close contests.
• Kent Denver: Colorado Academy earned a 3-3 tie, while Colorado Springs District 11 lost (5-4).
• Cheyenne Mountain: Colorado Academy secured a 6-3 victory, whereas Colorado Springs District 11 fell 5-1.

These results suggest that Colorado Academy has been slightly more consistent against strong opponents, giving them an edge in competitive matchups.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Colorado Springs District 11 Strengths:

  • Strong league performance (8-2 record)
  • High scoring average (5.0 goals per game)
  • Solid home record (6-5)

• Weaknesses:

  • Non-league struggles (1-8 record)
  • Inconsistent defense (allowed 53 goals)

• Colorado Academy Strengths:

  • Balanced team performance (better common opponent record)
  • Stronger goaltending (3.4 GAA vs. the national average of 5.5 GAA)
  • Better road performance (4-5-1 vs. Colorado Springs District 11’s 3-5)

• Weaknesses:

  • Lower league winning percentage (.500 compared to .800)
  • Inconsistent scoring across early periods

Final Thoughts: Who Has the Edge?

If these two teams were to meet, the matchup would be close. Colorado Springs District 11 has a more dominant league performance and higher-scoring potential, while Colorado Academy has shown better consistency against common opponents and slightly stronger defensive numbers.

In a one-game scenario, Colorado Springs District 11’s offense could be the difference-maker, but Colorado Academy’s resilience and defensive efficiency could keep them in the fight.

Would you bet on offense or defense in this matchup?