Santa Clarita Youth Hockey Team Wins Championship After Deadly Colorado Crash

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A youth hockey team from Santa Clarita, California, the Lady Flyers, won the Western Girls Hockey League championship just days after being involved in a deadly multi-vehicle crash on I-70 in Colorado that left one father dead and several players injured. Despite the tragedy, the team opted to continue playing in the tournament and emerged victorious with the support of other teams.

Why it matters

The Lady Flyers' championship win is an inspiring story of resilience and perseverance in the face of tragedy. The team's decision to carry on and compete after the devastating accident on their way to the tournament highlights the strength of the hockey community and the power of sports to bring people together and provide solace during difficult times.

The details

The tournament was hosted at Edge Ice Arena in Littleton, Colorado, over the weekend. The crash happened early Thursday morning as several families and members of the Santa Clarita Lady Flyers 12-and-under team were traveling to the event. A Sprinter van transporting 10 people from the team collided with a Colorado Department of Transportation snowplow, resulting in one fatality and several injuries. Despite the tragedy, the Lady Flyers chose to continue playing in the tournament and emerged victorious on Sunday.

• The crash occurred on Thursday, February 1, 2026, around 7:50 a.m. as the team was traveling to the tournament.
• The Western Girls Hockey League championship tournament took place over the weekend of January 31 - February 2, 2026.
• The Lady Flyers won the championship on Sunday, February 2, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The team and their families will continue to recover from the tragic accident and the loss of the player's father. The community is expected to rally around the Lady Flyers and provide support as they process the events.