The PeeWee Stars played an exceptionally strong, composed game on Saturday afternoon at the Timkin Centre in a must-win contest against Southpoint. Trailing 2-0 in the series, the Stars once again came out strong and dominated the first period, holding Southpoint shotless throughout. However, lady luck smiled on the Stars this afternoon as they were able to capitalize on a couple of their scoring chances and took a 2-0 lead into the second period.
T.J. Turley....that's right...our T.J Turley, led the Stars with a two goal performance, giving him a team leading three goals in the series. Trent Jordan got the ball rolling as he opened the scoring for the Stars with just under three minutes to go in the first period, with assists going to Matty Thomson and Andrew Baxter.
With just under a minute to play in the first stanza, Josh Reda drove hard to the net and was credited with the goal that gave the Stars their first two goal lead of the series. Shawn Thomson played another strong game for the Stars and was credited with the assist.
As well as enjoying a 2-0 lead, the Stars also refrained from visiting the sin bin during the first period. Coincidence? I think not.
Not wanting their fans to get too comfortable, the Stars took a double minor midway through the second period on a questionable high sticking call, as well as an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for saying "absolutely nothing" to the referee, at least according to a sheepish Bryce Kernohan. Southpoint's powerplay, which has been lethal in this series, connected once again during the first penalty on a nice backhand shot high to the blocker side to narrow the Stars' lead to 2-1 with just over five minute to play in the second period.
The Stars managed to kill off the second penalty before Andrew Baxter, playing with increased determination, thread a nice shot through the five hole on a two-on-one break during the last minute of the second period to restore the Stars' two goal lead heading into the third period.
T.J. Turley endured a mild panic attack while on a break away early in the third period, only to be shocked that his feeble shot actually crossed the goal line and gave the Stars a comfortable 4-1 lead. Backed by another solid, if not spectacular effort by netminder Brennan Agius, the Stars finished off an impressive forty minute effort and recorded their first win of the series.
Derek Smith was exceptionally diligent in his own end. Josh Reda continues to lead the Stars with his inspired play. The entire defensive crew played impressively in both ends of the rink. Dane Jacoletti and Matty Thomson led the way as we have come to expect them to do, but each of Shawn Thomson, Alex Sanders and Zack Smth also rose to the occasion and made significant contributions to the Stars win.
The Stars wish to send a special thank you to Corrie Hulst for providing the inspirational pre-game speech, which would have made Vince Lombardi shed a tear. Can't wait for tomorrow's speech.
Until then...stick down, cover the short side, and don't get deked.