Denver Demon Dogs — Founders Cup Champions!

(Photo Credit: Rollerdad News)

Going into game 5 on Sunday, the Suffolk Sting looked primed to take their PIHA-record 6th consecutive Founders Cup and 7th title overall. The Denver Demon Dogs were staring down a 3-1 series deficit and an uphill battle.

In game 5, the Demon Dogs jumped out to a 3-1 lead before the Sting came back to lead 4-3 late in the second. Alex Payne scored shortly after to tie the game, and then Taylor Jay scored in OT to win the game.

Game 6 proved to be another hard-fought battle, and it was the Sting who yet again had a lead late in the third, as Justin Favalaro gave them the 5-3 lead with 4:44 to go. The Demon Dogs then went on to score twice in less than a span of 2:30, and Jake Townsend scored the OT winner to force game 7.

Game 7 took a different, yet exciting approach. The Demon Dogs jumped out to a 4-0 lead with 5 minutes played in the first half. Suffolk then bounced back with four consecutive goals, as Dan Healy tied the game at four with 5:13 left in the second half. Jake Townsend then scored with 1:35 remaining to give the Demon Dogs the lead, and he then added the empty netter to win the Founders Cup for the Demon Dogs.

The Denver Demon Dogs have won their first championship ever as a franchise, and the Founders Cup makes its return to the Rocky Mountain Division for the first time since the Colorado Springs Thunder won in 2010.