June 3rd 2025 (Week 1)

Game 1:

Rough Riders 9, Raptors 7

Tuesday night marked the start of something new—and something worth remembering.

In the first-ever RFC Summer Sizzle League game, the Rough Riders clawed back from an early deficit to claim a 9–7 win over the Raptors in a contest that never stayed still for long.

Katie Marshall wrote her name into league history just minutes in, netting the first official goal of the RFC era. That early spark helped the Raptors race out to a 3–1 lead by the end of the first period. With steady movement and sharp passing, they looked composed. Confident.

But the second period belonged to Sam Leone.

Four goals. One period. A game tied at five. Leone’s run wasn’t flashy—it was relentless. Duane Cooke fed two of them. Courtney Ray added another assist. And just like that, the Riders had life.

Momentum carried over into the third. Jacob Doucette knocked in the go-ahead goal early, setting the tone for a final stretch that would tilt red. Jeremy Sacra followed with two goals and a helper of his own, showing the kind of command you want when the game’s in the balance. And with the Raptors pressing late, Courtney Cooke found the empty net to close it out.

Still, the Raptors had their own rhythm. Murtaza Raza dished out three assists with a calm playmaker’s hand, while Steve Foltz and Matthew Bika each netted two goals to keep the pressure on. They didn’t let up. They just ran out of time.

This game had all the ingredients: history, swings, and performances that mattered. If Game 1 is any indication, this league is about more than just floorball—it’s about the kind of effort that earns its own kind of story.

Game 2:

River Dogs 8, Polar Bears 6

The second tilt of opening week kept the energy high at the Powhatan Ice Den—and this time, it was the River Dogs who dug in and surged late to take an 8–6 win over the Polar Bears.

The Bears came out sharp, backed by a dialed-in Alex Henderson between the pipes. He turned away everything in the first period, while Ondrej Adamek and Brandon Loughren capitalized up front to give their side a 2–0 lead heading into the second.

But the River Dogs didn’t stay quiet for long.

Malachy Cole opened his account with two second-period goals, setting the tone for what would become a hat trick night. George Heflin added another, and Aylla DeSantiago dished two assists as the River Dogs clawed their way back to a 3–3 tie by the end of the second.

The third was all about execution—and effort.

Matthew Dillard struck twice in tight space. Malachy completed his hat trick. Aylla DeSantiago stayed active, capping her night with a goal and a third assist. Nick Baldaino got in on the playmaking too, feeding two key setups during the closing stretch.

And then there was the Sadarangani showdown.

The story cannot be written without mention of the matchup we’ll see at least two more times this summer. In his first-ever floorball game, Matt Sadarangani was able to shoot one just over the extended arm of his goalie-brethren. With intentions to bring the sport to the Crimson Tide of Alabama this coming semester, Matt spoke of his key to success after the game, "I honestly was just playing NHL in my head and moving to the open spots." Fortune favors the simple genius.

But the former Seattle Sockeye’s goalie and head of International Relations at RFC, got the last word. Dom anchored the River Dogs with a series of clutch third-period saves. One diving stop had teammates calling him a "lawn chair at the beach"—sprawled out and in the right spot at the right time.

The Polar Bears kept it close with a second goal from Ondrej Adamek and strong shifts down the stretch, but the River Dogs' late push proved too much.

Both teams showed flashes of identity: the Bears with structure early, the Dogs with rally legs late. Through two games, the Sizzle League is already living up to its name.

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Schedule

STAY TUNED FOR NEXT WEEK!