Nov 15, 2010 | dvannoord | 472 views
Stars Drop 2 Weekend Games....But Turn Corner
The Bantam AE Stars hosted a pair of games this weekend at the Timken Center.
INTIMIDATE - Webster's dictionary definition says to intimidate you make one fearful or timid ; to compel or deter by threatening statements or actions.
One shouldn't argue that has happened more times than not with the Stars this season when they face bigger, more aggressive teams. Facing the larger teams, the Stars would hang tight until the rough stuff started, then as the old saying goes "when the going gets tough, the weak go home" came into play.
Tired of being pushed around, the coaching staff and team decided to take matters into their own hands this week at practice. The team "ran through the chutes" so to speak. A rigorous practice that concentrated on checking and receiving a check had the Stars mentally prepped to dish out a bit of their own going into the weekend.
Saturday's contest saw the Dragons of Dorchester pay a visit. Big team. Strong team. Good team. The Stars knew they would be in tough. Coming out hard, the Stars held the majority of play throughout the 1st period, but looked up at the scoreboard and saw themselves trailing 4-0. The Stars continued to battle through the final 2 frames but saw themselves looking at a 7-1 defeat. But something happened to keep their chins up. This Stars team, considered "small" by some opposition and fans, fought a much bigger team in the corners,in the middle and in front of the goal. A light seemingly went off. This team can battle and they like it! Although the score was not in their favour something has to and will give. One of these games it is all going to come together and this team is going to reap the rewards of labour. Was Sunday the day?
Sunday brought a matchup with the league leading Mount Brydges Cougars. Yes the same Cougar team that spanked the Stars out of the rink in an exhibition game to kick off the season. Yes the same Cougar team that pretty much man handled the Stars. Not this time. Not in our house. The Stars are through being tossed around. They are becoming the hitters not the hittees. In a very physical battle with the 1st place Cougars, the Stars set their mark early. Thundering hits throughout the game by the likes of Chase Nowlan, Tyler Beadle, Josh Butler, Brandon Stevens and Andrew Wood started a trickle down effect on the bench to set the tone early and often. The Cougars seemed to be shocked that this team was carrying the rough stuff. Through 2 periods the Stars were by far the more physical team. They carried a good majority of the play but the scoreboard still wasn't on their side as the Cougars nursed a 2-0 lead through 2 frames. What did this team have to do to get on the board?
The 3rd period showed the Stars were not about to let the Cougars go easily. The punishing hits continued, then the wheels fell off. Down 2-0 in the 3rd, something snapped and the Stars decided to be undisciplined. A string of 2 "selfish" penalties in a row and the Cougars cashed on the PP to make it 3-0 and zap the Stars bench. Although they battled hard throughout, they couldn't dent the twine to make it closer. The Cougars escaped, but with their fur a bit tattered. They knew they were in a battle and will be ready the next time we meet. The chins were high in the Stars room despite the final score. This team has turned a corner. The "shy,timid Stars" are no more.
This team has a fire in their eyes now.
Getting that fire into their sticks is the next task.