BUT JUST FALL SHORT IN STRATFORD......ST THOMAS MINOR ATOM STARS win 6-3 over Kitchener Rangers and loose a close 1-2 decision to Stratford Warriors.
In the first game against Kitchener, the STARS came out a little flat and found themselves digging a hole and down 0-2 to a speedy Kitchener team. Give the boys credit though, they did not fall into the trap of giving up, but kept battling back and soon found themselves dominating the game.
It was a combination of determination and team will to do so. As the game went on, Kitchener started to lack their earlier speed, and maybe because of the STARS off ice conditioning program, that the TEAM stepped up the pace thru to the end of the game.
As the game progressed, Maclane Stringle got into a complete rhythm of side-to-side motion and focus on blocking all the rest of the shots of the game. Maclane was tested many times, sometimes with as many as eight shots in a row with no breaks at the net. But with a quick flick of the shoulder and leg he batted the puck away to safety each time.
Mike Roth, Brennan Bradley and Evan Clarke took a lot of punishment on the ice with some rough play happening. Each time they battled for puck control, they won and kept the fast paced action going in the corners. Josh Niles and Jeff Carr both had their hands full in the first period challenging the Rangers forwards. They soon had them frustrated as they came into the zone and the puck was sent the other way. Throughout the first period, Kyle Wiebe, Ethan Georgijev and Jack Pigram were all rushing to the net, but Kitchener’s goalie had great puck focus to stop the shots.
The captain, Brennen Smith got the STARS on the board to start the comeback, as the passing plays of the STARS beat the Rangers defense. Keavan Milmine passed across the ice to Brennen, who hit the top corner. Keavan also had another assist and a goal on the day, as Hunter Nurse passed out from the side of the net to find Keavan open on the side and he banked it in. Hunter got his first hat trick of the season, one getting the goalie to go to the opposite side and the last when the STARS were playing shorthanded and the Rangers pulled their goalie. Hunter fought off two defenders and found the open net. Ethan Miron battled for the puck along the end boards on a STARS power play by the STARS net and hit a pass over to Colton Wiacek. Colton flew between players and blasted a rocket right thru the Rangers goalie.
This win created the best string of results the boys have had this year. 8 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie in the last 10 games, with 5 shutouts, 36 goals for and 15 goals against.
WHAT A GREAT COMEBACK WIN BOYS!!!
In the second game, the MINOR ATOM STARS just didn’t seem to be the same team as the previous day and came out a little sluggish. Playing net, Ryan Bonter kept his team in it until the very end. Ryan had to make some great sprawling saves in between the pipes. The STARS had the early lead 1-0 in the first as Hunter Nurse fought for puck possession behind the Warriors net, won and passed out from behind to Jayce Smith. Jayce got the whole blade of his stick on the puck and wired it past the outstretched arm of the Warriors goalie. But the second and third periods were not kind to the STARS and they fell behind the Warriors 1-2.
Let’s get back to the high pressure, passing plays boys.
GO STARS!!!!!