ST THOMAS ATOM AE STARS TAKE THE FIRST 2 GAMES IN THE PRELIMINARY ROUND AGAINST THE OWEN SOUND ATTACK
The wins were due to strong team play all around. Goal tending was top notch, offense passing the puck and a core defense to shut down the Attack.
GAME 1 SUMMARY
ATOM AE STARS 5
ATTACK 3
The STARS came out a bit slow but still outplayed the Attack in their end. Dylan Buhler opened the scoring for the STARS with an end to end passing from Tysen Hunter and Ryan Payne. Then the Attack tied it up to end the first period 1-1. The second period was close again as Devin Robison-Sareh tied it up 2-2 at the end of the second with a bullet shot along the ice that just eluded the Attack’s goalie. Noah Allen and Carson Nurse made an excellent pairing on defense as one would take the man in front of the net, frustrating him from getting to the net, while the other took the winger wide into the corner. As the 3rd period started, the boys wanted a victory and came alive and pounded the Attack with three more goals. Dylan and Devin both got their second goals of the day with assists by Caden Beshara and Noah Dos Santos. Noah Dos Santos weaved through all and blasted the goalie for an unassisted final goal. Sam Graham and Caden Beshara stepped up their play and shut down the forwards, bottling them up at centre ice. Josh Hare played with a full head of steam and kept firing shots at the net or battling against the boards, never giving up to encourage his team on. Chris Wood after coming back from minor surgery; played a solid game and had a hot glove and stick to help his team to the opening victory. Woody’s focus never waivered and he compelled his teammates to play their best.
GAME 2 SUMMARY
ATOM AE STARS 8
ATTACK 1
WHAT A TEAM EFFORT BOYS!!!!
The ATOM AE STARS came out and just shell shocked the Attack with aggressive team play. The defense played their positions effectively and kept the shot down by taking their man wide and out of the slot. Carson Nurse kept picking off passes as the Attack tried to play with a man high for the stretch breakaway pass. Noah Allen kept battling for pucks and winning the battles to clear the puck from the net. Even though the Attack were being outplayed and manhandled they kept the first period close ending 1-0 for the STARS with the opening goal by Noah Dos Santos receiving the pass from Devin Robison-Sareh and David Gauthier. Noah Dos Santos was a force to be reckoned with today as the music fired him up and Noah ended up with 4 goals in the game, including a short handed goal with a sweet cross ice feed from Devin. THE ATOM AE STARS just exploded in the 2nd period with four unanswered goals to increase the lead to 5-0. Another strong player for the STARS, David Gauthier, scored another short handed goal with a give and go pass from Tysen Hunter. GREAT PASSING TYSEN!!! Tysen also got an unassisted goal in the third period. Josh Hare was just on fire today being everywhere on the ice and in the right spot to receive a banking pass from Ryan Farrell to light up the goalie once again. Getting his first goal of the season, being moved from defense to forward was Josh Allen with a quick move around the Attack’s defense and beating the goalie to the top shelf of the net. CONGRATS JOSH!!!! Caden Beshara and Sam Graham again paired to make a strong defensive team and also had some great opportunities at the Attack’s net. Speaking of great plays at the net, Matt Beckwith; “Bexie”; played a flawless game only giving up one goal. Whether the shots were coming high or low Matt was always in the right spot to either glove down or come up with a quick pad save.
As the ATOM AE TEAM looks to sweep the series in Owen Sound next week the boys know that complete team play, passing and never giving up on the puck will be the key to their success. Keep up the hard work and be aggressive on the puck boys.
GO STARS GO!!!!!