January 7,
2025
Fresh off their comeback win over the Lindsay Muskies, your Millbrook
Stars took to the ice at the Emily-Omemee Community Centre for an evening tilt
with the Kawartha Coyotes.
The Stars looked crisp early on, displaying some of their best breakouts
and passing of the season, but could not solve the Coyote ‘tender. Indeed, Millbrook
carried much of the play in the first frame, but exited the period squared at
zeroes.
In the second period, the Stars picked up where they left off – spending
a great deal of time in the offensive zone. After a solid forechecking shift by
the Warrick, Poole, Gillespie line, it was the right-winger, Warrick, who buried
a Gillespie rebound to break the goose eggs and put the Stars out front.
A minute later, it was Lochlan Pherrill’s turn to find twine, seizing
his opportunity with open ice in front of him, firing a quick wrister past the
Coyote keeper to give the Stars a brief cushion. Despite an excellent second
period by the Stars, the Coyotes hit the scoresheet with 21 seconds left, putting
a damper on the Stars momentum and keeping the Yotes very much in the game. The
Stars went to the dressing room in the second intermission leading 2-1.
In the third period, the pace of play on both sides picked up. The
Coyotes found their opportunity midway through the frame, tying the contest at
two apiece. Millbrook fans collectively felt their heart rates and blood
pressure rise considerably (or was it just this writer?) Sensing the cardiac event, Griffin Larmer,
for the second game in a row, rose to the occasion, and banged in the go-ahead
goal. This goal, the eventual game winner, was the reward of a dominant,
high-octane shift from the line of Larmer, Pherrill and Adams.
Elijah Dunlop put the game on ice with two minutes left in the contest,
following up on his own shot, and scoring for the second time in as many games.
Overall, a solid puck-possession game for Millbrook, and a well-deserved
victory.
Next up, your Millbrook Stars return home to battle the Brock Wild on
Saturday, January 11 at 1:30pm in what should be a dandy affair. Anyone who’s
anyone will be there.
Go Stars Go.
M. Carney