In the 4th game of the season the Stars put their undefeated record on the line against an Elmvale team that also came into the game undefeated. The past week the Stars spent time in practice working on the fundamentals of the game knowing that they would have to be at their best in order to compete.
During most of the 1st period both teams played a tight checking affair with a lot of play occurring between the blue lines and as a result each team had very few chances on net. In the stands it appeared everyone was on edge as it appeared the game was going to be low scoring and one goal might be all it took to win. With 6:32 left in the first period the Stars were the first to take a misstep and Jackson R. took the first penalty of the season by the Stars but he got lucky and just after the ensuing face-off the Coyotes took a penalty of their own and the game was played 4 on 4 for nearly the next two minutes Neither team was able to take advantage of the extra room on the ice and the score remained 0-0 after the completion of the penalties. With just over two minutes remaining in the 1st period the Coyotes struck first and for the first time in 4 games the Stars trailed on the scoreboard.
The game remained close and in the second and the Stars defense consisting of Jackson R., Jacob D., Chyna S., Maddux D., and Andrew G. stood their ground and continued to limit the chances on goalie Gavin S. The Stars took another penalty but fought it off once again. The forwards contributed to the defensive game plan with many of them, including Adam C., getting in front of any Coyotes player who thought they might have a chance. On the offensive side the Stars pressed hard to score the tying goal and managed to hit the outside of the post twice but were unable to get a puck past the big bodied Coyotes goalie and the score remained 1-0 for the Coyotes at the completion of the 2nd period.
The 3rd period was much like the first two with Stars defense bending but not breaking and the Stars forwards continuing to push the puck forward with the hopes a goal would come through hard work. The Stars put themselves in a hole by taking their third penalty of the game and it looked like all their hard work was going to be for not but goalie Gavin S. came up with a number of big saves including a high glove save that pushed the puck over the net and the Stars were able to fight off the penalty. The penalty kill seemed to inspire the Stars team and they held the puck in the offensive zone for a few minutes afterwards. The teams hard work finally paid off with a quick two pass effort from Heather R and Evan H out front to an open Zij M and the Stars winger wristed a shot past the Coyotes goalie to tie the game at 1-1 with about half the third period remaining. The teams both fought hard the remaining seven minutes of the game and although the Coyotes had the better chances the game ended in a tie and both teams came off the ice knowing that they remained undefeated but not perfect anymore.
The message after the game was positive but Coach Mike pressed that the players had to play with more discipline and limit the penalties and to make sure they held their position and didn't cheat away from their side of the ice. Considering the close score of the game and the continuous help by the forwards on the defensive side of the puck it was only fitting that forward Adam C receive the player of the game for the contributions he made in stifling the Coyotes offence. Good job Adam.
Go Stars Go.
