Playing with pride in the jersey, the boys won gold in an intense hockey game.
We’re Green, We’re White, We’re Dynamite!!!!
These chants and many more were heard throughout the arena on Sunday as the Novice Junior Stars defeated our competition in 4 straight games at the Glacier Pointe Thanksgiving Tournament in Port Huron. The boys played an awesome weekend of hockey and were rewarded for their hard work and determination with a huge win and the trophy to go with it. Way to go STARS.
The parents really got into the spirit of the game starting on Saturday night when we played the home town favourites to a 5 – 3 victory, setting the stage for Sundays final against the same team. The games became a competition between not only the players but also the parents and fans as the cheerleading competition help to spur the team to a 3 – 2 victory in overtime!! The STARS fans were then treating all to a musically great rendition of “OH CANADA”.
After defeating this team of St Claire Saints the night before, the boys were surprised when the first period ended with us down 0-2. Brennen Smith and Brennan Bradley kept up the pressure in the Saints end but their goalie was not budging. The team fought hard to keep the second scoreless with awesome plays by all our defence. James Martin had rush after rush from our end to the Saint’s net, but was always denied by their goalie. Mike Roth and Colton Wiacek were making their presence known on the ice in the second and third periods blocking forwards and trapping the puck against the boards. Maclane Stringle played the Green and White right off his jersey as he stood on his head and came up with some timely blocker saves to keep the STARS alive. The STARS team continued to fight hard in the third coming up with the first goal 5 minutes into the period by Ethan Miron assisted by Keavan Milmine and Hunter Nurse after a scramble in front of the net. Ethan Miron tied it up with 3 minutes left in the period assisted by Jayce Smith and Keavan Milmine. Defensemen; Evan Clarke and Josh Niles just tore up the ice in the second and third periods making sure if the puck came close to our goal that it was going the opposite way, right away. The STARS were determined to keep the Saints from scoring and Maclane Stringle came up with huge save after huge save to force overtime. Alex Popen, Brady DeDecker and Jack Pigram had some high flying plays as they battled for control of the bouncing blue puck. It was really great to see how the team is bonding as well together as Ryan Bonter kept giving Maclane encouraging comments to spur him on. With some inspirational words of encouragement from the coaches the overtime period started and the NOVICE team was jazzed. Parents and STARS fans were cheering as the most intense period of 4 on 4 went by without any scoring. That was until Ethan Miron netted the OT winner with 4 minutes left by deaking the pants off the Saint’s goalie.
It was then pandemonium as the NOVICE STARS TEAM; COACHES AND STARS FANS erupted with cheers for a gold medal; then came then presentation of the huge trophy and all the smiling STARS got to hold it, like they were holding the Stanley Cup itself.
To get to the finals the team stuck to the game plan of 3 period hockey and along the way beat McDougall Energy 3 – 1; Blue Water Stars 7 – 1 and their new nemesis St Clair Shores 5 – 3. Ryan Bonter, in his two starts was a phenom in net, hugging the posts when needed and coming out to force the angle of the shooter. Making it to the score sheet was Brady Dedecker (2 goals), Keavan Milmine (5 goals, 2 assists), James Martin (1 goal), Ethan Miron (3 goals, 2 assists), Brennen Smith (2 goals, 3 assists), Mike Roth (1 goal), Hunter Nurse (1 goal, 4 assists), Jayce Smith (1 goal, 1 assist), Brennan Bradley (3 assists), Jack Pigram (1 assist), Alex Popen (1 assist) and Colton Wiacek (1 assist).
On Friday night Glacier Pointe held a skills competition in which Ryan, Evan, Keavan, and Jack participated. They all seemed to be having a great time out on the ice, gathering from the huge smiles on their faces. GREAT JOB BOYS – YOU MADE THE GREEN AND WHITE PROUD!!!!
Hope all the NOVICE TEAM PLAYERS will take home some magical memories from the tournament.
GREAT TEAM EFFORT BOYS!!! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!
GO STARS!!!!!