The Stars finished the regular season on home ice with
a big win over the Collingwood Blackhawks.
The Stars started the season playing their first league game back in October vs the Blackhawks and it’s only fitting that they finish the season playing them as well. In their first match up the Blackhawks won 11-6 and the coaches knew they had a lot to work on.
There was no better way to gauge how much the team improved and how hard the players and coaches worked over the regular season than to come up with a big 4-3 win over a team that beat them so convincingly at the start of the season.
There was action at both ends of the ice which made for a great game for all the fans that were in attendance. Coach Steve kept to his game plan and juggled the lines to create a defensive checking line comprising of Grayson, Nick and Christian. They battled on every shift, relentlessly back checking and fore-checking, frustrating the Blackhawks offense. They unselfishly did their job and did what was asked of them which was to help keep the puck out of the Stars net and that they did on every shift they played.
The offensive punch was delivered by Ryder, Emerson and Cruz. They showed some great team work and puck movement as they delivered the offense to come up with the win. Emerson had the scoring touch tonight as he delivered four goals for the Stars with help from his wingers.
No team can win without defense and the ability to play at both ends of the ice. The Stars defence stood tall and without Aiden who was a late scratch due to an undisclosed upper body injury the defensive pairings of Jake, Serenity, Brayden and Landon kept the Blackhawks in check. Clearing the puck from their end and feeding their forwards with great passes through the neutral zone.
After 2 periods of play the Blackhawks were leading 2-1. The third period started with a frenzy as the Stars stormed back and scored 3 more goals to take a 4-3 lead. In the final minutes of the game Collingwood gave it all they had desperately trying to score the equalizer. With the Stars defense aggressively fighting off the Blackhawks attack the coaching staff and fans alike were in cardiac arrest as the forwards seemed to forget back check and play both ends of the ice with only seconds left in the game.
Connor was there to fill the void and played solid the whole game. When he was called upon in the dying seconds of the game he made several big saves securing the win for the Stars. For his hard work and focus he earned the Wasaga Warrior of the Game. Great job Connor.
The Stars end their regular season on a high note and look forward to the playoffs when they meet Georgian Shores in the first round.
Go Stars.