Congratulations to the U15 Neponset Valley River Rats on winning the Massachusetts Tier I state championships and advancing to the USA Hockey Nationals! 

As the 2nd seed in the tournament, the River Rats earned a bye in the opening round. The River Rats were set to face the Boston Jr. Terriers in the quarter-finals. The Rats came out buzzing scoring two goals in the first and three more in the second. The Jr. Terriers tried to claw their way back scoring three unanswered goals, but it was not enough with the Rats coming out on top 5-3.  

In the Semi-Finals, the River Rats faced the Cape Cod Whalers, where scoring was hard to come by early in the game. Stevie Rousell opened the scoring for the Rats late in the second period and then Michael Federico added the eventual GWG with 8 minutes left in the third. With a final score of 4-1 River Rats and a ticket to the championship game.  

The Finals was a back-and-forth battle against the Boston Jr. Eagles. River Rats Goalie, Vinnie D’Urso was solid in net allowing just one goal against in the game, and led the tournament with the highest save % of .937%. Stevie Rousell again helped the River Rats get on the board first with his third tournament goal. Michael Federico found the back of the net in the second for his second GWG of the tournament. Chase Fields added an insurance goal late in the third to pad the River Rats and earn the state title! 

The Rats now set their eyes on USA Hockey Nationals which will be held April 2nd – 7th at the Scheels & Farmer Union Arena in Fargo, ND. The River Rats will represent Massachusetts as they go head-to-head with some of the best talent nationwide.