Feb 07, 2012 | stottle | 2162 views
Bantam Jr. Stars Advance to O.M.H.A Quarterfinals
The host St. Thomas Bantam Jr. Stars advanced to the O.M.H.A. quarterfinals by going undefeated in the Preliminary Round Tournament held this weekend at the Timken Centre. The Stars outscoring their opposition by a combined score of 17-7 over the four game tournament on way to defeating the scrappy Essex Ravens, the self-proclaimed pre-tournament favourite Riverside Rangers, and the very underrated Amherstburg Stars twice.
The Stars opened the tournament on Friday afternoon against the Essex Ravens, a team the Stars dominated earlier this season in a game that is probably more memorable for the Raven's threat of a post-game brawl in the parking lot. Luckily, there did not appear to be any significant animosity lingering from their previous encounter, although both teams were assessed a total of eight minor penalties each.
The Stars had difficulty finding their stride against an outmatched Ravens squad. Perhaps battling a case of nerves, the Stars managed only a 2-1 lead heading into the third period, on the strength of two goals by Andrew Baxter. The Stars came out stronger and more assertive in the third period. Two goals by Derek Folkard and a last minute power play marker by Pierce Lawrence powered the Stars to a 5-2 victory. Jesse Tottle assisted on all three third period goals.
On Friday night, the Stars faced a very competitive and well-coached Amherstburg team for the third time this season. The teams had played two very tight, competitive tournament games earlier in the year, with the Stars taking both games by a one goal margin. Absent their best goal-scorer, Jordan Bastien, Amherstburg simply could not match the offensive power of the Jr. Stars.
Zach Smith opened the scoring in the first minute of play when he lasered a wrist shot from the blue line past a screened Josh Paquette. Michael McArthur made it 2-0 Stars midway through the first period on their only power play opportunity of the game. Micmac attacked the net from the right corner and snapped a beautiful shot just under the crossbar on the short side.
Micmac increased the Stars lead to 3-0 with his second goal of the game just under three minutes into the second period. Derek Smith made it 4-0 with five minutes remaining in the period when he banged home a rebound for his second goal in the last four games.
Amherstberg scored on a two-man advantage to give their fans some hope. However, Jesse Tottle and T.J. Turley teamed up again for another highlight reel goal to quash any hope of a comeback. Carrying the puck into the Amherstburg zone on a 2-on-1 break, Jesse cut to his forehand in front of the Amherstburg defenceman, drawing both the goaltender and the defenceman to him, before spinning and dishing a beautiful backhand pass to an unsuspecting T.J. Turley. Our BP would not miss, as he calmly deposited the puck into the yawning cage to give the Stars an insurmountable 5-1 lead.
Amherstburg added another third period marker but the St. Thomas Jr. Stars cruised to a 5-2 victory, and carried some momentum into their highly anticipated match against Riverside.
The Rangers came out strong from the drop of the puck and controlled the puck in the St. Thomas zone for the opening shift. The extremely talented but volatile Jonah Whiteye caught Rogie napping at 13:41 of the first period as he blasted a 45-foot slap shot inside the far post for a 1-0 Riverside lead.
Minutes later, Greyson Tottle made up for his gaffe with a game changing save. After being caught out of position on a nice deke, Rogie reached behind him with his paddle and knocked away a sure goal from Rangers' sniper Liam Hogan. The save certainly lifted the Stars' spirits on the bench and seemed to settle them down on the ice.
Michael McArther scored his third goal of the tournament on a Stars' power play to tie the game at 1-1. However, less than a minute later, with Jesse Tottle in the sin bin for cross-checking, Liam Hogan found Eric Kirby all alone in front of the Stars net. He made no mistake and restored the Rangers' one-goal lead.
The Stars took control of the game in the second period and appeared to frustrate the Rangers at every turn. Andrew Baxter scored his third and fourth goal of the tournament in the second period to give the Stars a 3-2 lead heading into the break. Jesse Tottle and Zach Smith were credited with assists on both second period goals.
A scoreless, but certainly not uneventful third period allowed the Stars to skate away with a well-earned 3-2 victory, much to the delight of their fans.
A surprising and emotional 3-1 victory over Riverside earlier in the day vaulted Amherstburg into the finals on Sunday afternoon against the Stars.
The Stars struggled somewhat in the early going against a clearly fatigued Amherstburg team. After a scoreless first period, Amherstburg opened the scoring at 10:07 of the second period on the power play. A seemingly harmless point shot struck Amherstburg forward Matt Bondy in the chest and deflected past a frustrated Greyson Tottle.
However, it was all St. Thomas, and mostly Jesse Tottle thereafter. Jesse's first goal of the tournament tied the game at 5:27 of the second period. While on the power play, Jesse corralled a rebound off a Zach Smith wrist shot and shovelled the puck behind Josh Paquette.
Before the period was through, Jesse scored his second of the game on a beautiful wrap-around play to allow the Stars to take a 2-1 lead into the second period intermission. Dylan Newman assisted on the play.
Jesse completed the natural hat trick early in the third period with an unassisted goal. With a little help from the official blocking an attempted Amherstburg clearing pass, Jesse picked up a loose puck just inside the blue line and broke in on a 2-on-1 break. Jesse faked a pass, then faked a shot, before finally slamming the puck into the open short side and giving the home team a 3-1 lead.
An empty netter by Andrew Baxter, his fifth of the tournament, cemented the 4-1 victory for the Stars. Jesse earned his fourth point of the game on the play.
Tournament Notes: It was heart-warming to hear the Riverside team explain how they extended the "courtesy" of coming to St. Thomas to participate in the tournament....it's good to see sportsmanship is still alive and well in minor hockey....its also nice to see Michael McArthur and Zach Smith playing their best hockey of the season....our goalies continue to make improvement with their puckhandling....it may not be noticeable to some fans, but our defensemen sure appreciate it.....the next meaningful game for the Stars will be against the winner of the Preliminary Round OMHA tournament in the Niagara region....until next time, keep your stick on the ice and keep reaching for the Stars.