Hurray!!! Hurray !!! Minor Bantam A Stars Are On Their Way To OMHA Semi-Finals !!!
The St. Thomas Jr. Stars Pharmasave Minor Bantam A team is on FIRE !!! After winning the Preliminaries against Essex Ravens, the Stars travelled to Fort Erie over the Family Day weekend to play 2 away games.
Played against Greater Fort Erie Meteors for the first time on an Olympics rink of their first Quarter Finals game, it was a "testing of water" game for the Stars.
Despite many shots on the opponents' net, the Stars can't seem to score. Period 1 ended with a tie of 0-0. Finally, less than 3 minutes into the second period, a goal was added on the board (1-0) for St. Thomas. The scores quickly changed to 2-1 NOT in our favour with only just over 6 minutes left in period 2. Starting period 3 with a goal behind only created more pressure on the guys and their families. Once again, the Stars kept firing the puck at the Fort Erie's net and it paid off. We tied the game 2-2 at 10:23 minutes left of the period. Another "nail biter" game for fans of both teams throughout the remaining of the last regular period. Both teams continued the battle in overtime period. Unfortunately, game #1 of the series ended with a loss of 3-2 OT for the Stars when the Meteors scored @ 6:22 minutes remaining. The Stars also took no penalties at this "careful played game".
Frustrated with their first loss, the team determined to win the following day so they can even up the record. After what went down over the first game of the Quarter-Finals, the coaching staff and parents believed and trusted that their Stars could win this game and finish the series with victory !!!
The St. Thomas players sure agreed with their coaches and families ! They were on fire right from the start of the second game and ended the first period with a 3-0 lead. Fort Erie came on strong and added a goal on the board within less than a minute into the second period. Not long after, the St. Thomas team fired back with another goal, making it 4-1 win after period 2. The Meteors desperately putting more goals in our net over period 3, but they just had no chance. Period 3 was a tie for both teams with no goal scored. The Stars played awesome throughout this game as their fans predicted and ended the game with a win of 4-1. They left Fort Erie with a loss and a win given both teams 2 points each.
The Minor Bantam A team and parents were anxious and were looking forward to the next 2 home games which happened over this weekend. The goal is to win both games, to end the series with a 6 points and advance to Semi-Finals !!! Of course, once again, the Stars delivered in game #3 on the Friday night. They also didn't forget to make the game exciting for their fans to witness. Both teams had different chances to score, but the first period ended with no goal for either team. The Stars came out at the second period with strong attacks at the Meteors' net and changed the score to a win of 2-0 within less than 5 minutes. With many attempts to change the score result, the Fort Erie team tried their hardest to put more pressure on the Stars throughout period 2 and 3. Unfortunately for the opponents, the St. Thomas team held on, worked very hard as well and more. At the end, the Stars brought another win of 2-1. This give them 4 points ahead of Fort Erie team.
It also means that game #4 at home on Saturday is that much more "sweet" and critical for the Stars to win. Wrapping up the series at home is also a bonus for parents & families not have to drive back to Fort Erie on Sunday. The STARS were pumped and were ready to play. The cold arena was filled with families and friends, full of excitement and heat of the night !!! The Stars shook the Fort Erie Meteors with a quick goal after the first 5 minutes of the game. To continue putting pressure on the away team, the Stars added another goal with less than 10 minutes left of the first period. This gave the home team an advantage of 2-0 by end of the period.
Despite the Fort Erie trying to defend their their net, they can't seem to stop the St. Thomas team from scoring. We added another 2 goals in the second period. The opponents also managed to add a goal on the score board near to end of the period. Period 2 ended with a 4-1 for St. Thomas. With no denials, the Meteors started to play more aggressive and put more pressure on the Stars. Falling 4 points behind in the series, they are more desperately to win this game then ever. Within less than a minute into third period, the Fort Erie team managed to score another goal and brought the scores to 4-2 for St. Thomas. Talking about the excitement and the pressure among the 2 teams, especially for the Stars' fans. The scores stayed the same until about just over 2 minutes left when the Fort Erie Meteors decided to pull their goalie hoping to tie the game. Frankly, it is possible for them to make it happen as the Canada Women Hockey team did just that at their final Olympics game vs the USA ! :). With great team effort of working together, the Stars kept the puck off the net despite the Fort Erie team kept trying. This challenge from the opponents sure made the Stars' fans hopping and can't help but feeling somewhat nervous for the Stars. This nervousness soon ended when the Stars scored an empty net goal at 1:32 minutes left. It sealed the VICTORY of the Final Game #4 of the Quarter Finals round 5-2 for St. Thomas Stars.
Throughout the quarter-final games, each of the STARS has continued to show what a great team player he is. The Stars always supported and cheered on for each other both off and on ice with much respect for their coaches, team staff, parents, families and teammates. They always worked very hard and stayed discipline.
The team has shown a lot of heart and determination to win. Their awesome teamwork and wonderful goal-tending sure have proved with an outstanding Quarter Finals record of 1 loss & 3 wins.
The coaches, team staff, parents and families are extremely proud of each and everyone of the Minor Bantam A STARS. You continue to amaze us with your skills.
The St. Thomas Stars are eager and are looking forward to the Semi Final round against the Oakville Rangers(Red). Please check our team calendar in the next couple of days for more details of Semi-Final games. Bring your family and friends out to watch our home games. The STARS love it when their fans are loud !!
The team is also exciting about the return of one of their Stars member; Jeremie from a minor injury.
WAY TO GO STARS !!! CONGRATULATIONS !!! & KEEP UP YOUR OUTSTANDING TEAMWORK !!!
GO STARS GO !!!