Back To Back, Night and Day...Playoff Bound!

The SLYH Mite A Stars wrapped up their inaugural season with two games this weekend and the performances could not have been more different in each. Saturday's game vs Cape Ann saw a Stars team that was fired up but just couldn't get it together. There were a few bright spots though. Co-captains Abi Travers and James Glowacz would attempt to focus this team with a few inspiring quotes. Abi read a classic Bo Jackson quote..."set your goals high and don't stop till you get there". James continued with an Arnold Palmer quote, "Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you." The odds were definitely against this team from the beginning. From the wrong game time posted on their schedule to the sticky ice, they just couldn't get it going for this one. It was a tough all around game but there was one more bright spot, Patrick Spychalski. He put in a total effort, hustling to loose pucks and making some great passes. For trying so hard he would earn a game puck! 
         The one thing that has become a staple with this team throughout the season is the never give up attitude. They put that Saturday game behind them and moved on to their final regular season Sunday morning bout vs. Belmont. The difference in play was like night and day. Co-captains Cam and Tim Sullivan wrapped up the regular season with some inspiring quotes. Tim used a quote from his favorite coach, Claude Julien. "If you want to score goals in this league you have to be willing to pay the price". Cam chose a classic from Satchel Paige, "Never let your head hang down, never sit down and grieve. Find another way!" In what would turn out to be the most exciting game of the season, this Stars team took both quotes to heart and found another way. They refused to let the Saturday game get them down and came out strong vs Belmont. Stevie "The Wall" Migliero strapped on the pads today for only the second time in his short hockey career. He kept his team in this one with several saves on breakaways but his alertness later in the game is what they'll be talking about for years to come. Starting off with Timmy Sullivan centering Mike Murphy and Brendan Heffron there was bound to be some offense. All three put in 100% effort every shift on the ice tonight. Sullivan would find himself on the receiving end of Murphy's and Heffron's corner work but just couldn't stuff one home. They were snake bitten today but it wasn't for lack of trying. Multiple scoring chances were negated by a tough Belmont goalie or heavy back checking. Center Jack Glowacz has become quite the hockey player and came out firing on all cylinders. His brother James, ever the physical presence, must practice battle drills with him. With help from wingers Joseph Soares and Abi Travers feeding him the puck, he'd drill one home just over two minutes into the first to give the Stars the lead 1-0. Those two wingers were amazing today. Soares had multiple rushes that were broken up at the last minute. Abi had the game of her life, driving the puck into the Belmont zone several times. Down 2-1 heading into the second period, the next goal by the Stars was officially the longest one seen in the Valley League all season. Defenseman Jimmy Driscoll broke up a play in his end and fired it out of the zone from behind the goal line. The force of the shot carried it all the way into the Belmont end, surprised the goalie and ended up in the back of the net. This would tie the score 2-2 and bring life back into the Stars bench. Belmont would get one back later but the resident black belt would have something to say about it. After a nice rush by Timmy deep into their zone, Abi would dig the puck free in front of the net and find Dion Sacca in the slot. Using his newly acquired ninja skills, Dion popped it in. This goal fulfilled his incentive contract signed prior to the game and cost his parents $50. Money well spent! With a tie score heading into the third the game got chippy. The hitting and intensity picked up but so did the Stars' play. Not enough can be said about the defense on this team. Anthony Grabau has gone from essentially just getting a feel for the ice to becoming a top defenseman who can be relied on in any situation. The unbelievable diving play to get the puck out of his end just shows that he's got "it". Jonathan Soares is THE go to utility player on this team. He has shown all year why the coaches can trust him in any situation and any position. Put him at D and he does the job. Put him at offense, same thing. He'll even carry this team into the playoffs as their starting goalie. All year Cam Sullivan has been a steady and reliable force on the blue line, sweeping away two sure goals from a wide open net today. Never giving up and having amazing focus to see the whole ice and step up on offense when needed are just a few of this players' traits. This team will need his contribution if they want to make a run for the title. D partner Jimmy Driscoll was also a force on the blue line but later in the game is where he would shine. Down 5-3 with just under 4 minutes left and playoff placement on the line, the Stars' coaches conversed about a possible goalie pull. The decision was made and with 1:57 on the clock, an alert Migliero came rushing to the bench. Jack Glowacz would sprint out to get in the mix. A minute ticked off the clock in which time the Stars' D earned their keep by keeping the empty net free from opposing pucks and sending one up the boards for a streaking Glowacz. Jack did what his does best and put it away to bring the score to 5-4 at :53 left in the period. A quick line reassembly saw six skilled skaters out on the ice for the face off. Cam and Tim Sullivan, Jimmy Driscoll, Anthony Grabau, Jack Glowacz and Brendan Heffron all knew the stakes from this puck drop. As soon as the ref released it this group drove it deep into the Belmont end and swarmed them. Nothing was going to stop this attack and nothing did. The puck found it's way to Jimmy Driscoll's stick who made no mistake about sending this one to the back of the net to tie the game with :37 left to play. The most amazing comeback in Mite A hockey was complete! They lined back up and Timmy went hard into the zone with a sweet rush but got knocked off the puck by several defenders. This one would end in a tie. If ever there was an exciting tie game ending, this one was it! It really goes to show how well this group has gelled together and exceeded all expectations. The game today could prove to be a stepping stone to greater things ahead as they await the final standings results and a playoff opponent. They paid the price to earn their spot with hard work all season. Even if it was sprung forward, this team can never be counted out as long as there is time on the clock! Get those beards growing. The Stars are going on a playoff run!