ST THOMAS NOVICE STARS 9 – OAKRIDGE AEROS 0
DETROIT RED WINGS 3 – PHOENIX COYOTES 2
Experience of a lifetime! We all had a blast! What a great team bonding day! Made one of my dreams come true! These are just some of the expressions made by the NOVICE STARS players and fans as the STARS made the trip to the JOE LOUIS ARENA in DETROIT on Monday to play an exhibition game and watch the RED WINGS game afterwards.
The NOVICE STARS would first of all like to take the opportunity to thank the JOE LOUIS ARENA STAFF and the DETROIT RED WINGS ORGANIZATION for inviting us to play and giving the boys a very memorable day. A big thanks to PHIL, this experience for them will last a lifetime. Also thanks to Joe and Roy, the great drivers of the bus line GREAT CANADIAN CHARTER for getting us to and from the events.
We all arrived at the TIMKEN CENTRE parking lot waiting for the buses to arrive and the kids were already pumped to play. As we arrived at “THE JOE” the boys were ushered inside, each one grinning as they just signed their major league contract. When we got to our dressing room, the players found themselves receiving some swag from the Detroit crew and everyone was just blown away with the t-shirts saying “I PLAYED AT THE JOE”. Mike Babcock came by the dressing room and gave the kids some inspirational words of wisdom and we were ready for the game.
It was time to take the ice for the opening faceoff and as the players made their way out to the ice, they were just looking up at the crowd, the huge scoreboard and taking it all in. The puck dropped and the game was under way. The boys carried over their team play and great pressuring game in the opponent’s end. Hunter Nurse got the STARS to an early lead when he received the pass and lifted it right past the Oakridge goalie. Hunter’s goal would stand up thru the rest of the game getting the game winner. Giving the STARS a complete shut out against the Oakridge Aeros were the magical goal tending feats of Maclane Stringle and Ryan Bonter. Maclane started in net and made every shot by the Aeros a save. A forward was coming down the middle and went to fake Maclane, but Maclane slid over at the right moment blocking the shot. Ryan faced a few breakaway attempts by the Aeros wingers, but they were no match for the quick reflexes and the fast glove saves of Ryan. Keavan Milmine got the STARS to a 2 – 0 lead when he tracked down the pass and broke for the net burying another. Colton Wiacek was on top of his game keeping pressure and the puck from coming out of the blue line, making all of Oakridge’s attempts to clear the zone fail. Evan Clarke was just a force to be reckoned with in this game as he was everywhere the puck was on defense making sure the Aeros could not get to it.
The second period was all STARS again. On a bad line change by the Aeros, James Martin took the puck and the advantage of having no one near him, made a beeline to the net not making any mistakes as he wristed the shot in. Mike Roth made some sweet moves to strip the forwards of their pucks and make them retreat back to their end. Brennen Smith got his first NHL moment goal when he chipped away at the puck near the net and made it fly past the Aeros goalie. Brady DeDecker and Josh Niles had another solid game as they were able to get back from a two on one rush by the Aeros stopping their play. Both Brady and Josh received penalties during the game and when asked how it felt to receive their first NHL penalty they both exclaimed “AWESOME”. Ethan Miron got the STARS to a 5 – 0 lead at the end of the second period and continued on in the third to get his first major league HAT TRICK. WAY TO GO E. Ethan was chosen PLAYER OF THE GAME and got a once in a lifetime opportunity to skate with the RED WINGS during the national anthem. Ethan was asked who his favourite WING was and chose number 13 PAVEL DATSYUK. Ethan not only got an official WINGS jersey for the night but got to stand by DATSYUK while the anthem played and DATSYUK gave him a little tap on the pads for good luck.
The boys played three complete periods of hockey, playing their game. Jayce Smith made the red lights turn on again on the Aeros side as he received a well placed pass. Jayce teed it up and bang, nothing but net. Every time Alex Popen went up and down the wings fighting for control of the puck he had one huge grin on his face showing his complete enjoyment of the game. Brennan Bradley came out of the game with three assists and some huge lung power, as he celebrated on the RED WINGS logo at centre ice. Coleton Robison-Sareh also having an assist in the afternoon’s game, had some great rushes on the Aeros net and kept fighting for the puck with another smile on his face. Jack Pigram made a rush down the wing, cut towards the net, receiving a bouncing pass and roofed it, top corner over the goalie, ensuring the teams victory.
The NOVICE STARS team played with heart, intensity and ST THOMAS TEAM SPIRIT to come out on top.
After the game they boys had a quick bite and then had to be back at the arena for some of them to take part in some special ceremonies. First of all five players, Brennan Bradley, Brady DeDecker, Hunter Nurse, Colton Wiacek and Coleton Robison-Sareh were chosen to give the RED WINGS team high fives as they went out on the ice from the zamboni entrance. They spent some time saying hi to the players and received a puck from the RED WINGS. PAVEL DATSYUK and TOMAS HOLMSTROM chatted with the boys for a while and then headed to the ice and when the STARS came back they couldn’t stop taking about it.
Josh Niles, Mike Roth, James Martin, Jayce Smith were chosen to compete in the first period intermission shoot out. All players came in fast to the net but couldn’t score on the Aeros goalie. Likewise in net for the ST THOMAS NOVICE STARS, Maclane Stringle was able to keep the shutout streak from the game going by stoning all comers.
We then got treated to the RED WINGS overtime victory of 3-2 over the COYOTES. The whole crowd and our team were just right into this game as well.
The NOVICE STARS would also like to wish Coach Trevor Smith a speedy recovery. PLEASE GET WELL SOON. HOPE YOU ARE FEELING BETTER.
GO STARS!!!!