The Daler varsity black roller hockey team, under the direction of head coach Jim Gunn with assistants, Pat McDonald and Gabe Vitale, won their first four games. The Island-wide High School Roller Hockey League standings were just released. For the second year in a row, the Varsity Black Dalers are in the Platinum, Division I.
In the first contest against Wheatley, Farmingdale won 7-3. The stars of the game included the Dalers Michael Lasher with two goals, three assists, and Christian Letourneau with two goals, one assist.
In the first period Christopher Abel, added two and John Gunn found the net for another. McDonald had an assist.
In the second period, the goal by Letourneau sealed the win. Anthony Chille stopped 16 shots on net.
Against Deer Park, Farmingdale won 4-1. In the first period Abel had two goals, and named a star of the game. Lasher assisted on one of the first period goals by Abel.
In the second period, with a 2-0 lead, Letourneau put the puck in the net for an unassisted goal. Then, John Gunn set up McDonald for the 4-1 win.
Goalie Chille stopped 21 shots, for a .955 save percentage and was a star of the game.
An exciting high scoring game against the Syosset Braves finished with the Dalers on top 10-5. Letourneau led with four goals and two assists. Gunn followed with three goals, three assists, and both named stars of the game. During the first period power play by the Dalers, Gunn set up Vitale who put the puck in the net.
Towards the end of the period, Farmingdale had another power play where Vitale and Chille assisted Gunn for the goal.
Other offensive contributors included, Abel with two assists. The Dalers took a 6-2 lead. In the final period, McDonald gave the puck to Letourneau for the score. Abel banked the puck in the net and got an assist. Scott Dwyer scored the tenth goal. Chille stopped nine shots while in the net and the Dalers had 20 shots on goal.
The next opponent was the Jets from East Meadow. The game was tied 2-2 at the end of the opening period. Scoring for the Dalers were Letourneau, and McDonald with Gunn picking up an assist. During the second period, the Dalers offense shined. In the first Daler power play, Vitale put the puck on the stick of Dwyer for a shot and the score.
Gunn then set up Abel for another. McDonald assisted Abel again, who was named a star of the game. Letourneau scored the last goal off the pass by McDonald.
Goalie Chille stopped 34 shots. He produced another high save percentage at .944 and named a star of the game. The Dalers offense had 45 shots on net against East Meadow and won 6-2.
Coach Jim Gunn has put in enormous effort with many in this group over the years. The highlight over this past summer was the National Tournament appearance in San Jose, California at a 19U.
Gunn, Lasher, Letourneau, and Vitale were able to experience this sport at an elite level. They proved they could skate with, stick handle against, score, and beat some of the best teams in the nation. These young men gained an experience of a lifetime. It is apparent that Gunn, volunteering his time, is preparing many roller hockey players from our community for the next level.
