The Stars continued their regular season the day after coming home the 'B" Final Champions and took on a very game Coyotes team who battled the Stars to a 5 - 5 tie earlier in the season.
Prior to the game the coaching staff reminded the team of what happened the last time the Stars took on the Coyotes and the fact that they lead by three goals two separate times before the game ended in a tie. The Stars were encouraged to be consistent through the game and put themselves in the right positions to make the game easier.
After three games the day before it was no surprise the Stars came out flat footed in the first period and really couldn't get much going. Goalie, Gavin S was the only reason the Stars were in the game after making three big saves in the first minute and a half, including two sparkling glove saves. The Stars continued to scramble and gave up the first goal of the game a few seconds later. The period seemed to be getting away from the Stars until defencemen Emma P took it in her own hands and turned the afterburners on in an end to end rush that saw her finish with a great backhand over the Coyotes goalie to tie the game 1 - 1 and get the Stars back in the game.
The momentum went back and forth in the second period and the Coyotes appeared to make the first mistake when they took an interference penalty but the Stars were unable to capitalize and instead the Coyotes responded with a goal of their own twenty seconds after killing off their penalty. The period ended with the Coyotes leading 2 - 1.
Just thirty seconds into the third period a Coyotes defenceman wound up and took a slap shot from the point that a very courageous Zach P decided to step in front of and block but the shot come up high and struck him behind the ear under the helmet. The crowd gasped and went silent as Zach fell to the ice and his screams could be heard but after a minute or so he got to his feet and skated to the bench a little worse for wear and ended up exiting the ice. The Stars were all a little stunned but gathered themselves and about minute later Zach's brother Ben P responded with a goal assisted by Evan H and Emma and came to the bench telling his teammates that that goal was for his brother. The team seemed to rally a little bit and after four years of playing very solidly on defence, Chyna S put the Stars ahead with her first career goal assisted by fellow defence partner Heather R. The Stars were not able to hold on to the lead however as the Coyotes tied the game 3 - 3 with about 4 minutes remaining in the game. Zach came back to the bench late in the game in an effort to try and cheer his teammates onto victory but instead the Stars fought off a late tripping penalty and the game ended in a draw.
After the game the focus of the Stars in the locker room was the health of their teammate Zach and although the game didn't quite go the way they wanted they were proud of their tough teammate and after Coach Mike awarded Chyna with her first goal puck he then recognized Zach for his courageous play and awarded him player of the game.
Up next the Stars travel to Coldwater on back to back days to take on both Wildcats teams who are ahead of the Stars in the standings and will provide a very stern test.
Go Stars Go.
