Jan 17, 2014 | dvandenbroek | 981 views
Junior Stars Midget's Geared Up For OMHA Playdowns
The past month has not been a great one for the St. Thomas Junior Stars Midget A, but the last game against the Bandits the boys looked ready to start a new season this weekend in Amherstburg who are the hosts of this years first round tournament style OMHA playdowns for the Midget A division. Although the game ended in a 6-4 loss, it was clear that the Stars are anxious to get back to their winning ways that they are so capable of.
Rather than dwell on the past month of the long winless drought it may be better to mention some of the more positive points going into this weekend were the success of this season can and probably will be defined. In a season where goal production was thought to be lean the team manage to combine for almost 3.5 goals/per game and the majority of the team having 5 goals or more. That being said the past month has been plagued with injuries and suspensions making the workload tough both the offence and the defence. It was starting to look like we almost had our players back when Shawsy went down that could keep him out of the line-up this week, I'm sure if he could go he would. The coaches made some changes to the lineup this past week and it looked to be promising. Folksy, Tottle and Buttsy look to be a threat as usual every time they step on the ice. These guys combined with 41 goals and 42 assists so far this season. A new line with Vandy, Reda and Mallory look to give the Stars second line the one two punch we need to keep the pressure on our opponents. They are no slouches when it comes to lighting the lamp, they have combined for 37 goals and 39 assists on the year. The next trio also continues to give the other teams fits with Woody, Little Smitty and Shawsy also combined with 39 points to this point. Sound like a winning formula to me. Our defence is a huge part of the recipe. When our bench has been short due to injury or suspensions it has been mostly at the expense of the back end. With Big Smitty and Johnson geared back up after some time off they ready to join the regular crew of Jacolletti and Thompson and the newly converted Turley in providing the defence our team has come accustomed to. Goaltending has never been the issue for this team, we are fortunate to have Rogie and Dozer who are both capable and have proven at times throughout the year that they can win games. Tournaments is where these guys get geared up for and this weekend should prove no different.
The first game of the playdowns is tonight at 8:30pm. Looking forward to seeing a VICTORY!!!!! Look for updates on the STMHA website as the weekend unfolds. Good luck to all the coaches and players.