Jamestown Blue Jays rebound with 6-3 win over Bismarck

Jamestown High School overcame an earlier scoring drought to post a decisive 6-3 win over Bismarck High on Jan. 13, moving the Blue Jays to 7-3 on the season. The victory provided a clear offensive statement after a frustrating Jan. 9 game when Jamestown fired 39 shots on goal without scoring.

Jamestown opened quickly and carried a 3-1 lead after the first period, building momentum that Bismarck could not erase. Parker Roelfsema delivered a three-goal night to spearhead the attack, while senior captain John Belzer and other contributors added key offense across the three periods. Goalie Leif Hanson recorded the win between the pipes as Jamestown closed out the contest.

The period-by-period scoring read Jamestown 3-2-1 - 6; Bismarck High 1-1-1 - 3. Jamestown’s balanced second period preserved the lead and a late third-period goal sealed the result, showcasing depth scoring after the team’s earlier shooting woes. The outcome also demonstrated the Blue Jays’ ability to respond under pressure, a point JHS head coach Jake Stilwell noted in praise of the squad’s bounce-back performance.

For Jamestown, the game matters beyond a single win. The offense finding the net relieves some midseason concerns about finishing chances and gives the program momentum as the schedule progresses. Players like Roelfsema and Belzer boosting production provides coach-level flexibility and keeps fan interest high at the rink. Local supporters and families who turned out for the game saw a clearer offensive identity than in the team’s goalless-effort outing earlier in the week.

The JHS girls hockey team also took the ice earlier in the week and fell 2-1 at Mandan, a result that leaves both programs with work to do as conference play continues. For Jamestown residents, the boys team’s rebound offers a reminder that small turns in form can affect standings, morale, and community support late in the regular season.

As the regular season continues, the Blue Jays leave Jan. 13 with a reinforced scoring outlook and a 7-3 record. That combination will be important to follow for fans tracking playoff positioning and for families investing time in youth athletics around the county.