ST THOMAS NOVICE STARS GET BACK TO REGULAR SEASON PLAY AND GRAB 4 POINTS THIS WEEKEND – AS WELL NOTCHING WINS 11 and 12 IN A ROW
In the first game this weekend the NOVICE STARS defeated the Strathroy Rockets 5-3. The game had some fast paced, intense moments where it looked like either team could have won. In the end it was a solid game effort for all the boys. The offense did their job by breaking thru and rushing to the net. Five different STARS players scored. But due to the strong outburst play by Strathroy; KUDOS must really go to the well positioned and hard working defensive play of the STARS.
A really strong part of the defense was Ryan Bonter in net. Ryan was able to pull some bouncing shots out off the ice and into his glove. With 2 seconds left in the game the Rockets were pressuring hard, their forwards shot a quick backhand and Ryan made the big play again. Mike Roth planted himself in the blue line and that puck wasn’t getting by him. Colton Wiacek and Josh Niles also were in the right position at the right times to pinch in on defense and send the puck back into the offensive end. Alex Popen fought hard in our end and using the boards was able to give the puck to the wingers to burst down the ice. Evan Clarke had one solid performance all game long, anywhere that a Rockets player had the puck rushing on his side he was there to turn them around. Having some sweet skating moves of his own was James Martin. James is making some great magic out their getting in on the rushes making him into a great threat on defense.
The NOVICE STARS got off to a quick lead as the pressure was put on the Rocket’s end right at the start of the game. Keavan Milmine struck first for the STARS breaking thru their defense and headed straight for the net roofing a quick shot over the goalie. Brennan Bradley and Hunter Nurse were passing the puck back and forth and then with a quick look passed to an open Ethan Miron who lit up the goalie again. Brady DeDecker kept up the offensive pressure and with a cross ice pass from Jack Pigram shot a blast thru the five hole giving the STARS TEAM a 3-1 lead.
The Rockets started to come back in the third but was there enough time. With the puck sitting on the crease Brennen Smith battled for possession and pushed it over the line getting the game winning goal. To finish off the scoring for the STARS in the third period Jayce Smith sprang into the rush to the net grabbed the rebound from their goalie and banged it in. Giving a great sigh of relief were all the STARS FANS who were glued to the back and forth play action.
In the second game the NOVICE TEAM got back to team play and hard end pressure; beating the Glencoe Ice Cats in a very close 3 – 2 game. The STARS found themselves in a bit of a hole being down 0 – 1 after 2 periods of play. Maclane Stringle settled the play down and made some great butterfly saves catching the puck right in the chest. On another save Maclane pulled the glove hand up and snagged the puck just before it was going into the net. Coleton Robison-Sareh came back to the ice and along with Ethan Miron, Jack Pigram and Brady DeDecker they all kept battling towards the net, but Glencoe came up lucky stopping all the shots. There were so many scrambles in front of their net, but the puck kept either getting stuck in the skates or eluded the sticks of the STARS. Evan Clarke and Colton Wiacek again played a well executed game clearing the puck from our end to get the forwards going.
The third period started and with curfew looming the NOVICE STARS came back to win this game. On a breakout passing play from Brennen Smith to Jayce Smith to Keavan Milmine, Keavan got the STARS on the boards tying it up at 1 a piece. Mike Roth and Josh Niles made some great moves along the Ice Cats end to keep the puck from bouncing out. The STARS then came on a wing rush and Brennan Bradley passed up the wing to Hunter Nurse who lifted a wicked shot right thru the goalie’s shoulder to put the STARS ahead. Somehow twenty seconds later Glencoe tied it up. The STARS offense had another rush to the net and Jayce Smith getting his second assist of the day passed over to Brennen Smith who buried the game winning goal. As time was winding down and the buzzer of curfew was going to sound Alex Popen and James Martin were there at the right moments to make sure the Ice Cats could not come back.
WAY TO GO WITH TEAM PLAY TODAY BOYS!!!!
KEEP UP THE TEAM WINNING ATTITUDES AND THE WINNING STREAK!!!
GO STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!