H.S. HOCKEY: Liberty hands out a lesson

Liberty gave new program Fountain Valley a lesson on how to grind out a win Monday night.

Liberty's Andrew Gibbs knocked in two rebounds 3:31 apart in the third period at Sertich Ice Center as Liberty (4-4) went on for a 4-0 win over the Danes (0-6).

"We have been focusing on putting the puck on net," Liberty coach Marc Smith said.

"We have some finesse guys who want those pretty goals but we need to get those dirty-looking goals to be successful."

It has paid off with four wins after going a combined 2-36 over the past two seasons including a 0-19 campaign two years ago.

Gibbs doesn't need reminded.

"This feels so much better," the senior said. "We're on pace to have a good season and maybe make the playoffs. Then we'll see how much damage we can do."

While neither team looked like a potential state champ, the speedy Lancers attacked the net to generate chances.

Gibbs charged the net with 9:59 left in the third period, knocking in his own rebound after goalie Richard Church was unable to control the puck.

That made it 2-0 and the Lancers continued to press the Danes in their zone, cashing in another Gibbs put back with 5:29 left.

"He's a hard-working, blue-collar player," Smith said.

The Danes may need to adopt that approach after restarting its hockey program after 17 years.

Fountain Valley showed flashes of good play, especially in the first period when it held the Lancers to four shots with an aggressive fore-check.

"Fountain Valley is on its way," Smith said. "They will be very good, very quickly."

That generated some chances in Liberty's end as well, but the inexperienced Danes were unable to capitalize. Fountain Valley took too many passes instead of firing the puck on net to generate rebounds.

"We've been pretty impotent on offense," coach Mike Payne said. "We have put together some good periods but we just haven't played a complete game."

Penalties in the second period kept the Danes from fore-checking. The game-winner came only moments after a Liberty power play when Brian Hollm scored with 1:25 left in the second.

Liberty, playing with more confidence, went on to dominate the third period.

Air Academy 5, Coronado 3

Air Academy's Cameron Duba recorded two goals and two assists for the Kadets (2-5), including a goal with 30 seconds left in the first period that made it 4-1 against the Cougars (0-7).

Cheyenne Mountain 4, Doherty 1

Trentt Houghton scored four goals in a row to lift the Indians (4-2) past Doherty (2-5).

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Contact the writer: 636-0260 or joseph.paisley@gazette.com.