St. Thomas Minor Atom Jr. Stars are Playoff Champions!!!
A lengthy layoff between our first round exit from the OHMA playdowns and the start of our Alliance league playoffs could have meant disaster for the St. Thomas Minor Atom Jr. Stars. However, after losing our first round robin game, St. Thomas came back with 3 straight wins to eliminate West London and North London from our division playoff round robin series and move onto the Finals. Three straight wins in the Finals meant a sweep of the Oakridge Aeros and the Alliance Bristol A Minor Atom Playoff Championship going to St. Thomas.
January 22 was our final OMHA playdown game against the Riverside Rangers. It ended in a hard fought 3-2 loss and eliminated our team from the playdowns. Two weeks earlier in Windsor, Game 1 saw St. Thomas battle back from being down 3-0 in the 3rd to tie the game with less then 2:00 remaining. Riverside spoiled our comeback with only 0:13 on the clock to take the win 4-3. Game 2 in St. Thomas saw Riverside mount a 3rd period comeback of their own and force overtime, eventually taking the victory 5-4 with a power play goal midway through the extra frame. Although losing 3 in a row and being eliminated, each team was closely matched and each game decided by a single goal.
Round Robin - Home & Home vs. the West London Hawks and the North London Nationals
March 3 was our first Alliance playoff game against the West London Hawks. After St. Thomas jumped out to a 2-0 lead, West London fought back with 3 unanswered goals in the third, taking the victory 3-2. Highlights include goals by Harrison B and Devon K. Additional points also going to Luka D and Mason N.
Game 2 vs. the Hawks saw the Jr. Stars fell behind 3-0 until the final second of the 2nd period when they scored to keep their playoffs hopes alive. Three more unanswered goals for St. Thomas in the 3rd period paved the way to a 4-3 victory for the Jr. Stars. Highlights include goals by Russell O with less then 0:01 on the clock in the 2nd, Miles V, Bradley V and Tyler M with the game winner. Additional points going to Chase C, Harrison B, and Bradley G. Throughout the game Taylor H was focused and made many key saves.
Having split the series with West London, we turned our focus to the North London Nationals who had already lost both of their games to the Hawks. This meant the Nationals were trying to spoil our chances of advancing. A loss meant our playoffs would be over. If we were fortunate enough to win both games, it meant an overall tie against the Hawks and “goal average” as the tie break. Now, not only faced with 2 must win games, the Jr. Stars had to win by more than 2 goals in each game. A tall order considering the last 5 playoff games were decided by a single goal. Well not only did the Jr. Stars claim the victory in both games, they outscored the Nationals by more then 2 to 1, winning 8-5 and 7-2 and advancing our team to the finals. Strong play by every player, and playing as a team were the keys to our victories.
Highlights for Game 1 vs. the Nationals include Harrison B and Miles V connecting twice for a goal each in the first 0:90 seconds. Tyler M notched a short-handed goal in the 2nd the game winner in the 3rd. Bradley V tallying twice including a much needed empty netter with only 0:14 remaining. Drake H and Russell O also each scored once in the third. Additional points going to Bradley G, Tristan C, Luka D, Connor E, and Mason N. Taylor H, coming into the game in the 3rd period, only allowed 1 goal.
Game 2 highlights include 4 goals by Russell O, including one short-handed and the game winner while Tyler M had 2 goals and Harrison B found the net once. Additional points going to Tristan C, JD J and Drake H
Finals vs. the Oakridge Aeros
Game 1 - Coming off three strong victories, the Jr. Stars were in full stride and in what turned out to be an excellent team effort, as the Jr. Stars scored 8 times before the Aeros spoiled Brett C’s bid for a shutout with only 1:56 remaining in the 3rd to make the final 8-1. Highlights include Miles V and Russell O with two goals each, Tyler M, Harrison B, Devon K and Connor E all scoring once. Additional points going to Chase C and Ian W.
Game 2 – It could have been a case of over confidence that contributed to the Jr. Stars going down 3-1 in the 2nd. Realizing Oakridge came to play, St. Thomas got back on track and battled hard to finish the period in a 4-4 tie. Into the 3rd, it wasn’t until 2:34 remaining the period that the Jr. Stars were able to complete the comeback and hang on for the 5-4 win. Highlights include Russell O, Bradley V, Harrison B, Ian W, and Tyler M all scoring once. Additional points going to Miles V. Also, Brett C. entered the game part way through the 2nd and only allowed 1 goal.
Game 3 – In the dressing room prior to game time, team Captain Russell O reminded everyone not to underestimate our opponents and that hard work and determination are keys to winning. He lead the charge on the ice as well, scoring 3 times. Singles went to Chase C and Miles V for a 5-3 victory, a sweep of the Oakridge Aeros three games to none and the Alliance Bristol A Minor Atom Playoff Championship!!!
Teamwork! Determination! Awareness! Organization! Sportsmanship! Pride!
Well done everyone!!! Each player should be very proud of their efforts and achievements this season!!!