Drake McGowan scored the only goal in regulation
and Alexandra Seagris scored in the 11th round of the shootout to
lift the Stars to a 2-1 victory in the championship game of the 2013 Pittsburgh Thanksgiving Classic Sunday afternoon.
The Stars started the tournament on Friday afternoon in fine form by defeating the St. Catherine’s Hurricanes 2-1. Even though the score was very close, the Stars controlled the pace of the game for the majority and all players put forth a great effort. The Hurricane’s scored their only goal of the game with 0.8 seconds left in the 3rd period.
On Saturday afternoon, the Stars met up with the Humberview Huskies and both teams got off to a quick start scoring 5 goals in the first 7 minutes of the opening period with Humberview edging the Stars 3-2. Humberview built on their lead in the first and carried a 5-2 lead into the second period. The Stars played much better in the 2nd and 3rd periods but came up short in a 7-3 loss.
The Stars then played earlier Sunday morning in a must win game against the Milton Winterhawks. The Stars jumped out to a 2-0 lead but surrendered 2 goals allowing the Winterhawks to tie the game. The game went back and forth with some fine play from both teams. Facing elimination from the championship game, the Stars decided to pull the goalie with 90 seconds remaining in the 3rd period in exchange for the extra attacker. This decision paid off quickly as Noah Duggan buried a shot from the point to give the Stars the 3-2 victory and a berth in the finals later that afternoon.
In the finals, the Stars faced off with the Huskies who had beaten them just over 24 hours prior to. The game featured a lot of back and forth play with some fine goaltending at both ends of the ice. The Huskies scored the first goal of the game to take a 1-0 lead but Drake McGowan with a great display of poise and patience slid a back hand shot past the Huskie’s outstretched net minder to tie the game 1-1. The game would remain this way through the end of regulation, and the ensuing 5 minute 4 on 4 OT session where the Stars were shorthanded, 4 on 3 for a full 2 minutes.
During the shootout, the Huskies jumped out to a lead with their first of five shooters scoring. The first 4 shooters from the Stars and the next 4 shooters from the Huskies were turned aside from the opposing goalies. Colin Cote was the Stars last chance to extend the shootout and he came through by lifting a wrist shot over the blocker side of the goalie to tie it at 1-1. The shootout would now switch to a sudden death format, however it featured similar action as the Huskies would score first, but this time not until their 10th shooter. Once again, the Stars needed to score to extend the shootout. Kieran Thrasher stepped onto the ice and slipped a wrist shot under the arm of the Huskie net minder to once again tie the shootout. Now, still facing a sudden death shootout situation and the Huskies shooting first, Brock Boyko stopped the 11th Huskie shooter to give the Stars another chance at victory, but this time, would prove to be the last chance they needed. Alexandra Seagris stepped onto the ice as the Star’s 11th shooter and fired a shot past the Huskie goalie to lift the Stars to a dramatic victory over a strong and talented team from Humberview.
It is worth noting that the Atom Minor Stars (2004’s) were in a pool against teams that were all 1 year older than them (2003’s). Though all of these teams were bigger in size, the Stars used their speed and a full team effort to overcome this disadvantage.
The Stars showed how success can be achieved when you work together as a team. The Stars defense consisting of Layne Sinasac, Alexandra Seagris, Jake Orchard, Ben MacIntyre, Andrew Digiovanni and Noah Duggan, all did a fantastic job of pressuring and challenging the opposing players, giving Brock Boyko the best chance of making saves. The defense also did a great job of stepping up and even carrying the play at times, only to see one of the Star’s forwards drop back in support of their teammate.
The Star’s forwards consisting of Rees Kozar, Kylie Laliberte, Kieran Thrasher, Drake McGowan, Tanner Hotchkiss, Nathan DeThomasis, Drew Booker, Colin Cote and Carson Allen, though over matched in terms of size and weight, showed a tremendous amount of grit, determination and drive, and never backed down from a battle. All of the line combinations displayed great skill with their puck movement and passing creating numerous scoring chances throughout the tournament.
Congratulations to all of the Star’s players as they all played a major role in this tournament victory.
Keep up the great work.
Written by: Mike Boyko - Atom Minor Team Manager
Photos provided by: Stacie Cote Photography