For the first time this season the Stars entered a one day tournament, hosted by the Dundalk Storm. The day consisted of two games to determine the standings before a final championship game could be played. At the end the Stars went home with smiles on their faces.
The Stars started off their day at 10am with a game against the Guelph Gryphons. Both teams were unknown to each other and the Stars team looked a little nervous in the locker room before the game. Coach Mike and Coach Rob reminded the team of what they had been working on, breakouts, during the last practice and encouraged the team to make sure they passed the puck to keep the pressure on the Gryphons. The Stars were short one forward for this game so the coaching staff decided to go with two centers to cycle between the three lines and made sure to emphasize shorts shifts to ensure the team would have enough energy to play three games in one day.
In the first minute of the game the Stars goalie Gavin S came up with a big save and that seemed to inspire his team with Noah M coming back a minute later to score his first goal of the season to put the Stars in the lead and they never looked back. Goalie, Gavin played his strongest game of the season and he came away with a shutout performance. The Stars added three more goals including a great shot from the point that Jackson R went bar down on and Jacob D scored his first goal of the season on a rebound and Ben P finished off the game with a goal assisted by Jackson R. The final score was 4 -0 and the Stars were off an running.
The second game of day saw the Stars draw the TNT Tornados from Alliston who also put a shutout on the board in their first game which meant this game would determine who would play in the 'A' Final of the tournament. The Stars were not up to the challenge on this day and in the end the final score was 5 - 0 for the Tornados. The Stars goalie, Gavin S continued his strong play and was even recognized by the TNT coaching staff after the game in the locker room but the Stars played their worst game of the season and Coach Mike summed it up afterwards with one word....Stinker. The entire team knew that whatever opponent came next they would have to pass the puck more and play stronger defense to have a chance.
With their 1 -1 record in the tournament the Stars qualified to play in the 'B' Final and took on the host Dundalk Storm team in their third game of the day. The Stars were anxious to get out of the dressing room after a mysterious smell permeated the room and the Storm were the perfect medicine for what ailed the Stars in their previous game. The Stars saved their best performance of day for the 'B' Final and the Storm couldn't weather the onslaught. Ben P staked the Stars to a 2 - 0 lead with an assist on the first goal going to Noah M. The defensive lines of Jackson R, Heather R, Andrew D, Chyna S played strong in front of a very hot goalie and Stars spread the scoring around the remainder of the game with one goal each from Andrew D, Evan H, Zach P, Heather R, Matthew M and Jack B to make the final tally eight goals to the Storm's three. The Stars mobbed their goalie at the end of the game and celebrated a very strong team game and earned their 'B' Final Championship Medals.
Throughout the day the Stars were lead by their goalie, Gavin and in the end the Dundalk Storm coach awarded him with MVP honours for his performance against his team. Congratulations Gavin.
Go Stars Go.
