The Newcastle Stars embarked on a quest for glory at the 2023 Silver Stick Tournament, held in the heart of Midland from December 1st to 3rd.
The Stars, laced up and ready, hit the ice with dreams of lifting the coveted Silver Stick. The trip was a whirlwind of clappers and snipes, where each game was more than just a duel on the ice; it was a testament to their grit and spirit. From the opening puck drop against the Parry Sound to the heart-stopping face-off with the Elmvale Coyotes, the Stars wrote a chapter in their book that was about more than just scores and saves. It was about the heart and soul of hockey.
Game 1: Spirited Showdown Against Parry Sound
In the bustling barn of North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre, the Newcastle Stars, our home heroes, clashed sticks with the Parry Sound Shamrocks in a gongshow that had fans on the edge of their seats. The Stars shone bright, outshining the Shamrocks 6-4 in a rink rumble that'll be talked about for ages. The game kicked off with the Shamrocks' #13 lighting the lamp, but the Stars' Carter Hutchison, the rink's very own puck whisperer, wasn't having any of that. He answered back with a top cheddar beauty, end to end, with Coulson Tello dishing out the apple. The Stars then found themselves in a bit of a pickle as Carter Lowery took a trip to the sin bin for tripping, but the penalty killers - Bruin Watson, Archer Scott, Zach Mercier, and Greyson Rutherford - stood tall like ice warriors.
As the second period rolled in, the Stars' netminder, Owen Tomlinson, was a wall, denying the Shamrocks left and right. Lowery, back from the sin-bin, turned into a playmaking machine, while Hutchison completed his hat trick with a tip-in from Gage King's clapper. The Shamrocks managed to sneak a couple past our guardian, but Gage King, with a knack for finding the net, scored off Ethan Leerschool's rebound. The third period was a showcase of the Stars' ironclad defense, especially Greyson Rutherford, who was a veritable puck wall. The Stars kept the pressure on, with Gage King wrapping up the show with an empty netter, completing his hat trick, and sealing the deal with an assist from the ever-alert Grayson Malloy. Every Star on the ice played their hearts out, proving that in hockey, it's not just about scoring goals, but playing as one solid, unstoppable unit.
Game 2: Tight Tussle with the Midland Centennials
Back at the buzzing barn of North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre, the puck dropped at 6:14 PM for a barnburner between the Midland Centennials and the Newcastle Stars. Fresh off a sizzling 6-4 victory against Perry Sound, the Stars hit the ice with energy. The first period saw the Stars' Coulson Tello turning up the heat with ferocious backchecking, while their netminder, Carter Collins, was a veritable Wall, making save after save, his mitts working like magic. Despite the Stars' Bruin Watson taking a seat in the Shame Cube for a minor body check and Greyson Rutherford getting pinched for tripping, the team's defense held strong. Owen Leerschool was a puck-hunting beast in the D-zone, creating turnovers like a pro, and Dustin MacDonald was a force to be reckoned with, battling valiantly against the boards. However, the Centennials slipped one past Collins, lighting the lamp with a stinger from their #9.
The second and third periods were a display of sheer determination and skill from the Stars. Zach Mercier's intense puck play, coupled with the dynamic duo of Carter Hutchison and Lou Civello, brought the crowd to their feet with thrilling scoring chances. Collins, the Stars' guardian of the twine, was nothing short of spectacular, denying puck after puck with a series of show-stopping saves. The Stars' final period was a symphony of teamwork and grit. Ethan Leerschool led the charge along with Bacon and Malloy, exerting relentless pressure as the entire squad kept the play almost entirely in the Centennials' zone. The Stars were buzzing around the net like a swarm of determined bees, with Gage King nearly tying the game with a heart-stopping chance. Despite their Herculean effort and an electrifying team performance in the final minutes, the Stars couldn't find the equalizer, and the game ended with the Centennials edging out a 1-0 victory. Yet each player was a hero in their own right, leaving everything on the ice in a game that will be remembered for its passion, skill, and the unbreakable spirit of the Newcastle Stars.
Game 3: A Clash with the Elmvale Coyotes
Back for the third time at North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre, the Newcastle Stars, faced off against the Elmvale Coyotes in a thrilling ice battle. The Stars, coming off a mixed bag of results with a thunderous victory against Perry Sound and a nail-bitingly close game against Midland, hit the ice with determination and zeal. However, despite their fiery spirit and unyielding hustle, the scoreboard tilted in favor of the Coyotes, ending 6-1. But don’t let the numbers fool you; our Stars shone brightly with their unwavering commitment and heart.
The game kicked off with the Coyotes snagging a few quick baskets, but the Stars, led by the indomitable Owen Tomlinson guarding the net like a seasoned sentinel, didn't let their spirits wane. Bruin Watson, the team’s dynamo, faced a minor setback with a tripping penalty but redeemed himself magnificently with a net-ripper, showcasing his skill and resilience. The third period was a testament to the Stars' spirit, with the team rallying and dominating play in the Coyotes’ zone. Each member of the Newcastle Stars, true Ice Warriors, displayed an inspiring blend of skill, determination, and teamwork, leaving everything on the ice. This may not have been their day, but the Stars’ radiance could not be dimmed by the scoreboard. Onward and upward, Stars!
As the final buzzer echoed in the Midland arena, marking the end of the Newcastle Stars' journey in the Silver Stick Tournament, the team's spirit remained unbroken despite not advancing to the semi-finals. Off the ice, Managers Terelle and Liz masterfully orchestrated the logistics, turning the Midland Super 8 into a fortress of fun where mini sticks clattered and laughter echoed. On the ice, the coaches' wisdom and tactics played out in every stride and shot, shaping the Stars' gritty performances. The bond among the team was palpable, from the splash in the pool to the team meals at Boston Pizza.
Every slap of the puck, every cheer, and every shared laugh at this tournament has been a step in the Stars' journey, gearing them up for their next challenge on the ice - the eagerly awaited regular season face-off against the Millbrook Stars.
Till next time, keep your stick on the ice 🏒 and hockey in your heart ❤️
- Tucker "Top Shelf" McCallister
(Thank you Wes for the pics!)
