Novice Rep OMHA Playoffs Round 1, News, Novice Rep, 2016-2017 (Wasaga Beach Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2016-2017 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Jan 29, 2017 | tmarkic | 571 views
Novice Rep OMHA Playoffs Round 1
The Wasaga Stars faced the Georgian Shores Lightning in round one of the OMHA playoffs and what a series it turned out to be.

The coaches knew that the Stars would be in tough vs the Lightning as scouting reports had the Lightning in second place with a high flying offence that topped their division.  The Stars were confident that they could put the puck in the net and match them goal for goal but it was going to come down to defensive zone play to determine the series winner.

Game 1  was played on home ice in front of a great home crowd.  The Stars took the lead early and managed to hold on to a 2 goal lead going into the third period 4-2.  The Stars managed 3 more goals but the Lighting came back and scored 5 goals in the third to eventually tie the game at 7.   This was a first playoff game for the Novice Reps and first sudden death OT experience.   They battled hard and rang a shot off the post and on the very next play the Lightning buried one for the OT winner.   Final score 8-7.

Game 2 was held in Thornbury and the Stars had something to prove.  35 minutes of hockey is what the coaches asked for and they delivered.   The Stars fell behind the Lightning 2-1 after the first period but that’s where they turned it on and never looked back scoring 7 more over the next 2 periods and winning the game 9-5.     Emerson lead the charge and scored 6 goals for the Stars which earned him the Wasaga Warrior of the Game.

Game 3 was back in the Stars Arena.  Coming off their big win the confidence can be felt throughout the building.   The Stars offence came through once again with 8 goals for the night but it was the defence that stood tall keeping the potent offence of the Lightning to only 4 goals while shorthanded for 6 minutes of the game.   The defensive pairing of Jake on the blue line and Connor in goal sealed the win and earned them both Wasaga Warriors of the Game.

Game 4 was back in Thornbury and was a game the team would like to put behind them.   Eight goals scored by the Stars, twice in the game they had a 4 goal lead.   The Lightning offence that lead the league all season came to life as the Stars seemed to fizzle in the third period allowing the Lightning to score 6 goals in the third period and eventually win the game 11-8.  

Game 5 and the series final.  The Stars were fully aware they didn’t play 35 minutes of hockey in game 4 and with the series on the line they had to dig deep, play as a team and follow the game plan.   After Coach Steve's motivational pre game speech combined with the home ice entertainment courtesy of DJ Double M the Stars were ready to play.

The first period was back and forth with scoring opportunities at both ends.  The Lightning managed an early goal taking the lead 1-0 into the second period.   There was plenty of hockey left to be played and the Stars were reminded to stay focused and stick to the game plan.    Relentless checking and aggressive play along the boards created turn overs for the Stars and Ryder took advantage by burying 2 goals early in the second period. The Stars once again found themselves playing short-handed for 6 minutes but the disciplined defensive play was stellar and kept the Lightning off the board.   The Stars never looked back from that point on scoring 4 more goals in the game to win it 6-3 and take Round 1. 

This was the first playoff series for most of the Stars and it gave them an opportunity to experience what it takes to win and lose as a team and depend on each other.  One player alone could not have won this series, each player had to dig down and play to the best of their ability.  Every player had specific tasks and different roles on the ice in order for the team to reach that common goal – winning.

On Sunday afternoon the Stars came together as a team.  They played their positions and focused on their responsibilities.   The entire team played for the win with some of the most unselfish hockey the coaching staff has seen all year.    For that reason the coaches are proud to award the Wasaga Warriors of the Game to the entire team.  Way to go Stars.