Doherty hockey has come a long way in two years

"It's crazy to think that two years ago, we only won one game. Now, we haven't lost a single game for two years," says Doherty defenseman Tanner Chapman. So what changed? It starts with the coaching, Will English took over this program last year and instilled a new mindset, "Will brought a whole new identity. He knew that we had the will to win and he just brought it out in us," says Doherty defenseman Garrett Bogan, Chapman added, "Our team identity is to be the hardest working team on the ice every time." It's not just physical strength, it's the mental toughness, that was on display last week in a showdown with Pine Creek when the Spartans scored three times in the final seven minutes and twice in the final two minutes to overcome a three goal deficit and earn a tie against one of the state's best teams, "We learned that we have a lot of character and we can do pretty much anything," says Doherty center Chase Chapman.

"I think we were done with all of the stuff people were saying about us. And then we got to prove to everyone that we're a contender," says Doherty goalie Jeth Fogg. Doherty is a rising state power. They've changed the culture for years to come, "I'm proud to be a part of it, knowing that I was here for the season that we obviously didn't do too well, and knowing that we have a good young core that we can build off of for years to come. It's just awesome to have a Colorado Springs team make a statement to be up there with Denver kids," says Bogan.