The NOVICE STARS played three games this week, tying the South Huron Sabres 4 – 4, tying Mt Brydges Cougars 2 – 2 and then losing our final game to the South Huron Sabres.
Game 1 of the 3 this week found the STARS in South Huron. With some feisty players driving and coming in hard at the STARS net, Ryan Bonter played with some spirited play of his own. Ryan challenged a lot of the attackers and was able to use the poke check and blocker to bring to an end the play of the Sabres.
Jayce Smith battled and battled for control of the puck along the boards. Jayce won the war and then put a pass right onto the stick of Keavan Milmine. Keavan blasted to the net and shelved the STARS opening goal. Mike Roth and Josh Niles were just like a pair of pit bulls never letting go of their man and chasing them down to stop the Sabres rushes.
Colton Wiacek just seems to have a sixth sense of where the puck is going to be. Colton was always ready at the blue line to turn the puck the other way. Jack Pigram was able to get around the defense but was stopped at the net by the solid play of the Sabres goalie. Coleton Robison-Sareh was able to break the defense and find Brady DeDecker with a pass. Brady skated hard and stick handled the puck right into the net. The STARS took the lead in the game with a scramble for the puck in the Sabres end. Hunter Nurse passed to Ethan Miron, Ethan then got the shot away over to Brennan Bradley who thumped the puck past the Sabres goalie. James Martin got the final goal of the game on a rush down the ice splitting the defense and drove and wrist shot in. James is really having some fun out there.
South Huron ended the STARS unbeaten streak on Sunday. South Huron just outplayed, out muscled and controlled the play, frustrating the NOVICE team. Remember boys, it’s just one game of many.
The NOVICE STARS played the Mt Brydges Cougars on Saturday to a bit of a shaky start in the first period. At one point the team was down 0 -2, but then they dug down and settled into the game. One of the most solid players for the STARS team was Maclane Stringle in net. Maclane went 2 ½ period without letting up a goal to the pressuring Cougars. Maclane was right at home between the pipes and was able to stop all breakaway and rushes to the STARS end. Evan Clarke and Alex Popen made the STARS fans cheer as they blocked shots and stripped the puck away from the Cougars’ forwards. Brennen Smith kept the pressure and strong play going for the NOVICE STARS team. Brennen really knows how to use the boards and drive the puck to the net.
The team got back into the game when a rush on the right wing by Hunter Nurse who connected a cross ice pass and found a speedy Ethan Miron plowing to the net. Ethan then smashed it home. Jayce Smith and Keavan Milmine were having a great day on the ice and were making plays develop at both ends of the ice. On a tear of his own, James Martin went net to net and deaked the Cougars’ goalie to tie the game at 2.
Continuing the team play and hard pressure the NOVICE STARS were 14 games unbeaten. Let’s take it up a notch boys; and start a new winning streak. If you’re having fun you’re doing it right. Hard on the puck, hard fast skating and with team play and we’ll do it again. Let’s take what you developed in practice and with our confidence level back in play we’ll get back on the winning track.
GO STARS!!!!