Mar 08, 2010 | stottle | 1000 views
Same Old Tune for the Stars
As has been the case all too often this season, the PeeWee Stars cooked up the same old recipe for defeat on Sunday afternoon in Sarnia. Too many penalties, too much frustration and too few goals resulted in an emotional, hard-hitting but nonetheless disappointing 2-1 loss. With the win, Sarnia avoided being swept by the Stars and, at least temporarily, staved off season ending elimination from this semi-final series.
Facing a must-win situation, Sarnia came out strong from the opening face off and showed more determination than any time previously in this series. While Sarnia did not generate many scoring opportunities, the puck remained in the Stars end for most of the opening few minutes of the first period. To their credit, the Stars weathered the storm by being positionally sound and, at least for the first few minutes, maintaining their composure.
There were very few good scoring opportunities generated by either team during the first period and the contest remained scoreless after ten minutes.
During the second period, the Stars' frustration level seemed to increase with each call from the referee. A bewildering high sticking call on Derek Smith midway through the period resulted in the third Sarnia power play of the game. While killing the penalty the Stars defence, which was already playing without Shawn Thomson, suffered a major blow when the referee whistled a play dead and, after waiting for what seemed like an eternity to signal a call, ejected Dane Jacoletti for hitting from behind.
Showing his legendary persistence, and in his usual articulate manner, Coach Turley tried to convince the referee of the error of his ways, at least until he was handed a bench minor penalty. During the ensuing 5-on-3 power play, Brennan Agius made several stellar saves and was excellent with his rebound control. But even Brennan could not hold off the Sarnia power play forever as the Sting scored with just over two minutes remaining in the second period to take a 1-0 lead into the final frame.
Also by the end of the second period, the Stars had been fingered for five minor penalties as well as a ten minute misconduct, while Sarnia had yet to visit the penalty box (please feel free to insert personal commentary here).
However, it was not until the 13:43 mark of the third period that "all hell broke loose". T.J. Turley, not wanting to be out-penalized by his father, became engaged in a skirmish with Sarnia defender Jared Borque in front of the Sting net. As the two fell to the ice, T.J. seized the opportunity to express some of his personal frustration on Jared's helmet. A melee ensued as more Sarnia and Stars players joined the fracas.
After everything was said and done, the Stars enjoyed their own two-man advantage. However, the joy in Mudville was short-lived as the Stars were called for their seventh minor of the game half way through the power play and failed to capitalize on their only opportunity of the game.
The Sting made the score 2-0 with just over six minutes remaining in the third period, but to their credit, the Stars continued to battle. After several good scoring chances, Andrew Baxter picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and caught the two Sarnia defenders flat footed as he raced in untouched on the Sarnia net. Using the move he has worked on at practice, little Baxter faked a shot to the forehand before pulling the puck to his backhand and flipping it up high in Steve Yzerman-like fashion. His brilliant goal was soon followed by a less-than-brilliant goal celebration as he ended up on his butt in front of the Stars bench.
The Stars pulled their goalie for the final ninety seconds but were unable to tie the score and the game drew to a close with a final score of 2-1.
Pierce Lawrence was excellent in his penalty killing role. Zach Smith and Brennan Agius were once again outstanding.
The Stars will try again to finish off the Sting this Saturday at the Timkin Centre in St. Thomas. Until then...stick down, cover the short side and don't get deked.