ATOM Jr. STARS GO 5-0 TO CAPTURE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP!!!, News, Atom A ('01), U10-U11 Travel, 2011-2012 (St. Thomas Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2011-2012 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Oct 24, 2011 | tmacmillan | 2191 views
ATOM Jr. STARS GO 5-0 TO CAPTURE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
The Atom Jr. Stars were at home this weekend for the annual STMHA Major Tournament.  With only 5 teams in our division, it was straight to the final for the two top teams after a 4 game round robin, and the Stars didn’t disappoint.  Cheered on by family and friends, the Stars captured home ice advantage for the final by finishing the round robin undefeated.

In the Final, the Woodstock Navy Vets opened the scoring late in the 1st, but the Stars answered back just 0:79 seconds later.  Woodstock added one late in the 2nd and another early in the final period.  However, the Stars wouldn’t quit as they battled through 4 3rd period penalties to notch our second goal with 8:33 remaining and our third with only 1:30 on the clock, completing the comeback and forcing overtime.  Both teams were called for separate penalties midway through the 1st overtime period which was supposed to be 4 on 4.  Now playing 3 on 3, the Stars moved the puck well around the open ice and created several scoring chances.  As the clock ticked down and both penalties expired, a low wrist shot found its way under the Woodstock goalie and into the back of their net, giving our Stars the win, and the Tournament Championship with just 0:08 remaining!!

 

Goals to Brad Verhoeven, Drake Hunter and Tyler MacMillan (2)
Assists to MacMillan, Ian Westaway, Nik Chruchill, Devon Kaplanis and Miles Vaughan

 

Game 1:

Our first game, against the Port Perry Predators, turned out to be a tough and physical game that truly tested both teams.  The Stars only needed to score once, as they held off their opponents and captured the 1-0 win.  The victory was bitter sweet as many left the arena wondering how the officiating could be so sporadic and inconsistent. When it was finally over, two Stars’ players were off the hospital as a precaution, a 2 game suspension was handed out to a Port Perry player.

 

Goal to MacMillan
Shutout to Taylor Honsinger

 

Game 2:

With everyone back from the hospital safe and sound, the Stars were able to focus on our next game against the Markham Waxers.  From the opening face off, the Stars controlled their opponents and the game with a total team effort that included some incredible passing and strong defensive play.  The Stars dominance lead to another victory and another shutout as they tallied one in the 1st and 3 times in the 2nd to record a convincing 4-0 win.

 

Goals to Verhoeven, Kaplanis(2) and Vaughan
Assists to MacMillan(2), Chruchill and Harrison Bell
Shutout to Brett Chapman

 

Game 3:

Building off the confidence from the first two games, the Stars recorded another convincing win against the Southpoint Capitals to improve to 3-0 and sit firmly in 1st place overall.  Scoring twice in the 1st period was all our team needed, but added three more in the 2nd.  A scoreless 3rd meant a 5-1 victory for us.

 

Goals to Verhoeven, Bell, Churchill, Kaplanis and MacMillan
Assist to Vaughan, JD Jakobi, MacMillan(2) and Honsinger

 

Game 4:
With a chance to record 4 wins and claim home ice in the Final, the Stars battled the fast skating Woodstock Navy Vets to a scoreless 1st period.  Our opponents were pressuring at both ends of the ice and although the Stars scored first, it was Woodstock taking a 2-1 lead into the 3rd.    The Stars scored the equalizer just over 4:00 into the frame only to fall behind again less then 3:00 later.  Woodstock continued to pressure our team, looking to add to their lead, but strong defensive play by our blue liners shut the door, not allowing any quality chances.  With just 0:25 remaining and Chapman on the bench for the extra attacker, we scored to steal victory from Woodstock.  A key face off win, incredible puck movement and another shot from the Stars meant another goal just 0:09 later.  The final 0:16 ticked away, allowing the Stars to complete their first comeback and take the game 4-3.  At the time, no one knew it would be a sign of things to comes.

 

Goals to MacMillan, Tristan Cruickshank, Churchill(2)
Assists to Kaplanis(2), Verhoeven, Hunter, MacMillan, Vaughan

 

Congratulations to the Atom Jr. Stars!!  All 17 players worked hard and more importantly, worked together to make each of these victories possible.  Well done to each of you!!

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