Roughriders take close game against Dallas Ice Jets, advance to semi-finals

Farmers Branch, TX - The Rocky Mountain Roughriders U16AAA played perhaps one of their best games of the year in the 4-1 victory over the Dallas Ice Jets. The game was battled hard on both ends of the ice. Each team had many opportunities and was terribly exciting to watch.

Please check back for complete game summary.

Game Summary

RJ Salvato gets the Roughriders on the scoreboard!

On a bright an early Saturday morning just off of the 635 expressway in the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch, the Rocky Mountain Roughrider U16 team got ready to play the Dallas Ice Jets. The two teams met at the wonderful Dr. Pepper Stars Center to play for a spot in the Rocky Mountain District semi-finals. The winner would advance and the loser would go home.

The Roughriders hit the ice determined to stay in the tournament. This was evident when Max Ross was called for the first infraction of the game. An Ice Jet player skated through the goal crease after the whistle blew and Ross took exception to the disrespect and promptly tossed the Ice Jet on his can. Ross's enthusiasm landed him in the penalty box, however it set a tone for the rest of the game that this was the Roughrider's ice and if anybody else wanted to play on it, they would have to earn that right.

At 12:30 of the first period Robert 'RJ' Salvato found the way to paydirt and buried the puck giving the Roughriders a 1-0 advantage. The Roughriders continued to dictate the pace of play through the first period and into the second period. At 9:54 of the second period, however, the Roughriders gave up a powerplay goal to Jason Cotton.

Michael Buonincontri responded with a brilliant goal from a brilliant pass from Adam Durkee. The textbook goal was setup by Adam Durkee when he fed the puck to Buonincontri at the last possible moment at the back door of the crease. The Roughriders were on fire from that point on. Yannick Crete and Adam Durkee netted insurance goals in the third period to seal the win and a chance to play in the semi-finals later on Saturday evening.

This had to be one of the most well played and enjoyable games to watch of the entire season. Action back and forth all game long. So fun!

The final shots on goal were 54-25 in favor of the Roughriders, however that seems a bit generous. Joakim Jutras got the start in net and played very sound between the pipes.


Official Gamesheet