Stars Come Out Firing
The PeeWee Stars came roaring out of the gate Saturday afternoon at the Timken Centre and took a commanding 4-0 lead in their six-point semi-final series against Sarnia. Playing in front of their home fans for the first time in over a month, the Stars seemed determined to send the small but loyal group home with a smile on their face and conjured up an offensive explosion that hasn't been witnessed by Stars fans in quite some time.
Jesse Tottle opened the scoring in the first minute of play as he picked up a rebound from a Josh Reda shot in front of Sting goalie Matt Szabo and sniped it high stick side, top shelf where Janet keeps the dietary supplements. "It's the first time I scored when the puck went where I wanted it to go!" he exclaimed.
After a miscommunication between goaltender Rogie Tottle and his defenceman resulted in the Sting tying the score 1-1, the Stars scored twice in the final two minutes of the period and took a 3-1 lead into the second. Capitalizing on their only power play opportunity of the game, Matty Thomson drove into the slot and let go a low wrist shot which caromed off the goal post to a waiting Andrew Baxter, who nonchalantly deposited the puck into the yawning cage for a 2-1 lead. Jesse Tottle also earned an assist on the play.
With less than a minute to go in the first period, Josh Reda streaked down the left side and wristed a shot past a surprised Sting goalie, who obviously does not read this writer's blog as he clearly failed to cover the short side.
Derek Smith, who has been playing the best hockey of his career, meandered his way through a couple of sting defenders before sending a sweet dish across the goalmouth to T.J. Turley, who reluctantly tapped the puck across the goal line to give the Stars a 4-1 lead with two minutes to go in the second period.
The Stars struck again before the end of the second period. Andrew Baxter netted his second goal of the game, and third of the series, by finishing off a fine three-way passing play from his linemates Jesse Tottle and Bryce Kernohan with a beautiful shot along the ice just inside the far post. The recently reunited line counted for six points in the game and their play has made many fans wonder why the coach broke them up in the first place.
The Sting added another goal in the third period, but it was too little, too late as the Stars controlled the rest of the game for a decisive 5-2 win.
Sting goalie Matt Szabo made several remarkable stops, including breakaway saves on Pierce Lawrence and Josh Reda, and was the only reason why the score remained somewhat respectable.
The entire Stars defence corps played extremely well in both ends of the rink. Shawn Thomson made several excellent outlet passes, rushed the puck with confidence, and earned himself a chapeau. Dane Jacoletti dished out a thundering body check midway through the second period. Alex Sanders' streak of consecutive games with at least one penalty ended at one.
The Stars will try to sweep the series on Sunday in Sarnia. Until then...keep you stick down, cover the short side, and don't get deked.
