Rugby advances to Junior Gold tournament semifinals
Rugby received two goals each by forwards Derek Jaeger and Kyle Volk and the Ice Hawks defeated Richland (Sidney, Mont.) 6-4 in the quarterfinal round of the N.D. Junior Gold hockey tournament in Moorhead, Minn. on Friday afternoon, March 6.
The victory sent the Ice Hawks into the tournament semifinal round for the first time since the 1998-99 season. It was also the squad’s second win over the Rangers this season in addition two a pair of ties.
Jaeger’s first period power play goal staked Rugby to a 1-0 lead. The Ice Hawks extended it to 2-0 on Volk’s first of the game early in period two. Richland would get on the scoreboard a few minutes later, but Jordon Kuhnhenn’s power play tally regained the Ice Hawks’ two-goal advantage.
Richland would then tie the game on back-to-back goals. However, Jaeger’s rebound goal late in the second would give Rugby the lead at 4-3. It was a wild second period with six total goals scored.
The Ice Hawks received a little breathing room when forward Chris Fedje scored just :25 seconds into the third period. Volk would add his second goal near the midway mark. Richland would add a goal in the final two minutes.
Rugby senior netminder Andy Brossart was busy, turning aside 44 Ranger shots.