Two Colorado high schools swept the USA Hockey national championships Monday at Hardee’s Iceplex in Chesterfield, Mo.

State champion Cherry Creek capped off its season with a 2-1 victory over Dubuque (Iowa) in the combined division, and Regis Jesuit captured its second national title in four years by beating Santa Margarita (Calif.) 3-1 in the pure division.

“We not only got a chance to have success with both teams, but we got a chance to support each other,” Cherry Creek coach Jeff Mielnicki said. “It really just shows the quality of hockey in Colorado is strengthening and we should be proud of it.”

For the first time in the six-year history of the national championship, the titles were split into two divisions. Teams with players from multiple high schools were invited to compete for the newly formed combined division title, and the pure bracket included schools that draw only from their own student pool.

Cherry Creek just wrapped up its third season since relaunching its ice hockey program after a 25-year hiatus. Senior Chris Nitchen, who scored the game-winning goal in the sixth overtime to send the Bruins to the state finals, led Cherry Creek with six goals and three assists in the national tournament. Goalie Brady Mielnicki started in goal all six game sand recorded a 1.55 goals-against average.

“It was a tremendous experience,” Jeff Mielnicki said. “The competition was amazing ,and the kids just continued on from the state tournament and played great hockey.”

For Regis Jesuit, the victory was redemption for falling to Monarch in the state semifinals.

“I think our team needed some closure on a good season,” Regis coach Dan Woodley said.

The Raiders, in their third national title game in four years, were led by senior Jack Kilkenny, who had five goals and six assists — including one of each in the championship game.

“It’s a remarkable thing,” Woodley said of the two Colorado teams winning. “I don’t know if anybody could have foreseen this was going to happen.”

Joe Nguyen: jnguyen@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joenguyen