PEEWEE AE STARS SHAMROCK DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - DEFEATING THE SOUTH HURON SABRES 3 GAMES TO 1 IN THE SERIES, News, Pee Wee AE ('98-'99), U12-U13 Travel, 2010-2011 (St. Thomas Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2010-2011 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Mar 27, 2011 | csanford | 2345 views
PEEWEE AE STARS SHAMROCK DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - DEFEATING THE SOUTH HURON SABRES 3 GAMES TO 1 IN THE SERIES
The ST THOMAS PEEWEE AE STARS TEAM played some high intense, physical games to a closely matched opponent in the South Huron Sabres.  The STARS opened the series at home with a 4-1 high offensive pressure win.  Then next game went to the Sabres 1-3, tying the series at one apiece.  The next game was closer than the scoreboard said with the STARS coming out on top 3-0.  Not wanting to go back to South Huron and South Huron wanting to keep the series alive both teams came to play with their “A” game.  The game went back and forth, anyone could take control. 

The STARS fans were cheering; everyone was glued to the play.  Every STARS player gave it their all and finally the PEEWEE AE STARS capitalized mid way thru the third period to take the lead 1-0.  The goal stood up to be the game and series winner as the time clicked down and the Sabres were defeated by the STARS.

GAME 1 SUMMARY: STARS WIN 4-1

The STARS took control of this game from the opening face off.  Pressure, pressure, pressure from the offense and the defense gave the STARS the edge.  Ryan Payne wins another face off, the play heads to the Sabres end, and the puck goes into the corner.  Cameron Watson picks it up and passes over to Ryan Payne who chooses the perfect moment to wrist it to the open corner of the net, ending his scoring drought and gets the first goal in the championships.  Tyler Cleary and Josh Allen broke down the wings and passed back and forth until they found Tysen Hunter in position to blast another one past the Sabres goalie.  Corey Fox held the blue line time and time again for the STARS and would not let the offense in.  The STARS increased the lead as Sam Graham passed off the boards to Ryan Payne, Ryan made a quick move around the defense and slid a perfect pass over to Cameron Watson.  Cameron lifted the puck over the out of position goalie and the STARS had a great strangle lead in game.  The Sabres wouldn’t leave quietly and pulled their goalie to grab a goal and then again to try to come back, but as the coughed up the puck at the blue line, Tysen grabbed the empty netter to end the game.  Noah Allen and Ash O’Connor played some great “D” to “D” passing plays, keeping the Sabres away from the puck.  Josh Levesque used his strength and speed to get around the defense and created many opportunities at the Sabres end.

Chris Wood dominated in net in game 1.  Chris stood tall and confident and hunted and trapped any puck that came close to him.  Again and again, Chris overcame the players buzzing around the net, using that large blocker to his advantage. 

GAME 2 SUMMARY: SABRES WIN 1-3

Game 2 found the STARS in the game, but just not quite able to turn on the gas to their advantage and the Sabres outplayed them for the win.  Sam Graham broke from the defense and carried the puck in swiftly down the wing, shot the goalie saved and Cameron Watson speed in and beat everyone to the puck getting the STARS lone goal.  With a talk from the coach after the game, the boys knew they had to pick it up if they wanted to win.

Game 3 SUMMARY: STARS WIN 3-0

Chris Wood saved his best game for this one.  Chris again defied the laws of gravity and physics, moving and twisting to stop breakaways by the Sabres.  It was also one of Woody’s best games for not giving any rebounds away as he jumped on and smothered the puck.  He really gave it his all and came away rewarded with the shutout.

Chris did have some great help on defense in this game, as Chris made the initial stop and was down and out of the play on the ice, the puck was loose and open just a foot away from the net when Carson Nurse sprawled over and swept it away from the surging offense.  Noah Allen then picked it up and moved the puck away from the open side of the net.  One of the most intense and fastest skaters for the STARS, Ethan Emick carried the puck wide down the wing , chipping it past the defense and then controlled it in their end, and passed out in front and Matt McBurney came rushing in, and smacked the game opening goal into the net.  David Gauthier entered battle after battle along the side of the boards and continued the pressure for the STARS.  Even though the STARS TEAM was back it was a tight game and the Sabres came to play in the second but Woody was not giving any ground.  Half way thru the third the play was even and then the STARS charged with a surging effort.  On a rush created by Tysen, Colin Wright flew with him down the ice and straight for the net.  Colin then lifted a screamer right over the goalie.  The Sabres felt the pressure once again and pulled their goalie and again turned over the puck and Ash O’Connor stayed with it and fought his way down to the empty net, scoring again.

GAME 4 SUMMARY: STARS WIN 1-0 AND WIN SHAMROCK DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Wow!!!  When one team is on the doorstep of winning and the other facing elimination from the series; you get the best game of the series.  This was a close one.  Both TEAMS wanted it, but the STARS kept with the game plan of pressuring the puck in the Sabres end, skating hard and shooting at the net.  Both teams had chances and both goalies played their best hockey.  Not to be outdone in the series shutout department, Matt Beckwith played with his heart on his sleeve and made save after breath taking save to ensure the STARS win.  Matt came up with the blocker, the glove and pads and was always in position to cut down the angle of the shooter. 

The scored stayed tied until 8:11 in the third period.  The PEEWEE AE STARS were on a power play and the Sabres turned the puck down the ice.  This was a game you just could not take your eyes off of or you would miss some incredible play action.  This final game was a roller coaster adventure where every fan was into.  Colin Wright and Josh Allen created some holes and brought the puck back into the Sabres end, shots were taken and finally it was Tysen Hunter who slid it just past the goalies outstretched leg and behind the goal line.  The STARS knew they had to keep up the pressure and had to win the battles.  Everyone did.  The defense stepped it up as again the Sabres pulled their goalie looking for the equalizer.  But again the defense cleared it up off the boards.  The offense did the same not allowing South Huron to come back.

As the boys rushed out onto the ice, the smiles and woops said it all.  What a great end to a challenging season.  The final hand shakes were given and the medals and plaque awarded, the PEEWEE AE BOYS celebrated as a TEAM once more.  The PEEWEE AE BOYS took their victory lap and gave us all another incredible memory to share.

It has been a great ride and adventure with all of you.  The coaching staff wishes you all the best of luck in your future hockey endeavors. 

CONGRATS – ST THOMAS PEEWEE AE SHAMROCK CHAMPIONS!!!!!

GO STARS!!!!!