HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — The defending champs are heading back to the Frozen Four.
Valor Christian, the No. 2 seed in the CHSAA Class 5A hockey playoff bracket, punched its ticket to the semifinals with a 5-3 win over No. 7 Denver East in the quarterfinals at South Suburban Sports Complex on Tuesday (February 27) night.
The Eagles were powered by a hat trick from sophomore forward Charles Maddox.
"I love it. I really appreciated it for this team," Maddox said. "I'm excited we get to move on."
Valor Christian will play No. 3 Cherry Creek, which beat No. 6 Mountain Vista in double overtime 4-3, in the semifinals Saturday.
Denver East's season ends with an 11-8-2 overall record.
>>Watch the extended video above and see the highlights on the 9NEWS Prep Rally this weekend!
RELATED: Prep Rally Honor Roll (2/27/24)
RELATED: Prep Rally | Sunday, February 25
RELATED: Prep Rally | Saturday, February 24
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Sports
9NEWS+
Watch more from 9NEWS on the free 9NEWS+ app for Roku and Fire TV.
9NEWS+ has multiple live daily shows including 9NEWS Mornings, Next with Kyle Clark and 9NEWS+ Daily, an original streaming program. 9NEWS+ is where you can watch live breaking news, weather updates, and press conferences. You can also replay recent newscasts and find videos on demand of our top stories, local politics, investigations and Colorado specific features.
To download 9NEWS+ on Roku search for KUSA.
To download 9NEWS+ on Fire TV search for 9NEWS.
RELATED: Watch 9NEWS for free on ROKU, Apple TV, Fire TV
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER
Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
> Top stories curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.