CENTENNIAL — The top-ranked Regis Jesuit hockey team has not been tested often as it’s decimated its opponents throughout the regular season.

Entering the third period of the Raiders’ showdown against No. 3 Summit on Friday, it was logical to wonder how Regis would react to facing such a stern challenge so late in the contest.

Bad news for the rest of the state title contenders—it appears nothing is going to faze the defending state champs.

Regis ended the Tigers’ upset bid in emphatic fashion early in the third period, scoring three goals in a span of 2 minutes, 50 seconds to pull away for a 7-4 victory in a Foothills League game at the Family Fun Center.

Red-hot Regis (14-0-1, 7-0-1) has scored 27 goals in its past three games.

“We just talked about stopping the penalties and going out there and getting goals,” said Regis senior Zeke Yslas, who scored two of the three decisive third-period goals. “Our coach is trying to get us ready for the playoffs right now, getting us in that competitive mode where you’re playing at your top level. We know that we can go out and win and score goals.”

Summit’s bid for an upset began quickly, as junior Sam Dudick gave the Tigers a quick 1-0 lead with a goal 50 seconds into the game. Regis scored twice to take a 2-1 lead at the first intermission, and by the middle of the second period the Raiders held a 4-1 lead and seemed destined to add another victim to their string of lopsided victories.

But the Tigers scored twice in a 1:11 span late in the second, taking advantage of a five-on-three power play with a goal from James Lowrey. They rallied to within one on a goal by Shamus O’Neill, which officially was an even-strength goal even though Regis’ fifth skater had just stepped out of the penalty box.

Yslas regained the momentum for the Raiders off a feed from Connor Hayes less than 2 minutes into the third, and a goal by sophomore Andrew Fioretto 73 seconds later gave Regis a two-goal edge. Another Hayes-to-Yslas tally moments later essentially iced the victory for Regis.

“It was a good game for us because we were able to play against an opponent that is a higher-level opponent,” Regis coach Dan Woodley said. “If there are lopsided victories, it doesn’t really do a lot in forging us for future tight games. We appreciated a very competitive game.”

Fioretto and Tyler Finn each finished with one goal and two assists for Regis, while senior forward Justin Johnston added three assists. Lowrey led Summit (13-3-1, 8-2-1 league) with one goal and two assists.

“We had some guys who don’t normally play that role step up and do a good job,” Woodley said. “We’re a deep team, and we have an opportunity for guys to contribute on any given night. Andrew Fioretto and Tyler Finn played great games. Austin Miller back on defense played a wonderful game and Ian Rawley probably played his best game of the season. We really had some contributions from some players who we know can do it, but haven’t always had to step up. We really spread the puck around.”

Summit 1 2 1 — 4

Regis Jesuit 2 2 3 — 7

First period—1, S, Sam Dudick (Brad Zimmerman, Kyle Metzger), :50; 2, RJ, Evan Lloyd (Andrew Fioretto, Tyler Finn), 1:27; 3, RJ, Tanner Ottenbreit (Austin Miller, Ian Rawley), pp, 3:50. Penalties—Billy Grossheusch, S (tripping), 2:38; Zimmerman, S (cross checking), 3:37; Tom Branson, RJ (holding), 6:46; Shamus O’Neill, S (roughing), Lloyd, RJ (tripping), 13:14.

Second period—4, RJ, Finn (Fioretto), :50; 5, R, Connor Hayes (Justin Johnston), 6:27; 6, S, James Lowrey (Alex Gutierrez, Kyle Johnson), pp, 8:08; 7, S, O’Neill (Jon Gutierrez), 10:19. Penalties—Lloyd, RJ (roughing), 3:43; Lloyd, RJ (tripping), 7:18; Hayes, RJ (tripping), 8:15; Mac Pitts, S (hooking), 12:24; Gregg Davis, RJ (slashing), 12:45; Johnston, RJ (tripping), 13:41.

Third period—8, RJ, Zeke Yslas (Hayes), pp, 1:50; 9, RJ, Fioretto (Nick Mohr, Finn), 4:03; 10, RJ, Yslas (Hayes), 4:40; 11, S, A. Gutierrez (Lowrey), pp, 14:47. Penalties—Johnson, S (tripping), 1:50; Miller, RJ (hooking), 7:26; Johnston (roughing), 10:02; Max O’Neil, S (roughing), 10:59.

Shots—S, 2-11-8—21; RJ, 14-7-11—32. Saves—S (Andrew Dunlap 25); RJ (Nick Cunningham 17). Power plays—S, 2-for-8; RJ, 2-for-5.