MIdgets Hitting Their Stride Heading Into Playdowns, News, Midget A ('95-'97), U16-U18 Travel, 2012-2013 (St. Thomas Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2012-2013 season, which is not set as the current season.
News Article
News Article Image
Jan 13, 2013 | stottle | 2467 views
MIdgets Hitting Their Stride Heading Into Playdowns
With a 3-2 road victory over the North London Nationals on Sunday afternoon, the St. Thomas Midget Jr. Stars will be riding a nifty three game win streak heading into the preliminary tournament of the O.M.H.A. playdowns next weekend at Riverside.  Backed by the steady, and often spectacular goaltending of Dan Black, the Jr. Stars remained undefeated in the calendar year of 2013 and appear to be peaking at just the right time. Despite being outshot 36-14 in the game, and outmatched on paper in almost every category including size, speed, skill and experience, assistant captain Keaton McIntyre's second goal of the game at 10:44 of the third period broke a 2-2 tie and stood up as the game winner.  That's why we play the game on the ice and not on paper.

The Nationals opened the scoring midway through the first period when London power forward Robert McIver deflected the point shot of Dalton Mead past a screened Dan Black.  However, on this night the Jr. Stars were determined to compete on every shift and make the Nationals hard work for every loose puck or inch of ice.  After some effective forechecking by Brodie Dunley and Stevie Ray Drew, Keaton McIntyre pounced on a loose puck and squeezed it past Nationals' puckstopper Joshua Villani to tie the game at 1-1.  

At 6:14 of the first period, thanks to a perfect pass from Jake McCall, London winger Martin Hackett found himself all alone in front of the St. Thomas net with the puck on is blade and staring at a yawning cage.  Hackett made no mistake as he slammed the puck home past a helpless Black to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead heading into the second period.

Jesse Tottle continued with his recent goal scoring streak by scoring the only goal of the second period.  Playing 4-on-4, Jesse picked the pocket of Nationals defenceman Dalton Mead along the right side boards deep in the London zone.  Driving out of corner, Tottle eluded a feeble attempt by Villani at a poke check before tucking the puck between his wickets and tying the game at 2-2.  Jesse picked up his team leading 30th point on the unassisted tally.

The Nationals continued to hold the advantage in play throughout most of the game.  But, with his usual flair, Keaton McIntyre proved to be the game hero midway through the final frame.  At 10:44, and despite being harassed by three Nationals, Keaton was able to unleash a slap shot from just inside the London blue line that rocketed past the outstretched glove of Villani to give the Jr. Stars a 3-2 lead which they would not relinquish.  Max McVety and Will Strong were credited with assists on the game winner.


Game Notes:  The Stars lost rookie forward early in the first period with a knee injury....his status is listed as day-to-day.....the game also marked the return of Max McVety from a lengthy absence due to concussion symptoms....the Stars open their O.M.H.A. preliminary tournament against the Southpoint Capital on Thursday night in Riverside....Goalie Dan Black made numerous point-blank saves to frustrate the Nationals attack....another key factor in the Jr. Stars win was staying away from penalty trouble.  St. Thomas played shorthanded for only 10 minutes in the game, compared to 16 minutes for the Nationals......neither team was able to score with the man advantage......discipline will be of the utmost importance in the short tournament format this coming weekend....as will capitalizing on their power play opportunities....until next week....keep your stick on the ice and keep reaching for the Stars. 

     
Sponsors