North Stars hopes beginning to fade

The Soo North Stars were dealt a serious blow last night in their quest for the national championship.

The host local AAA midget representatives dropped a 6-2 decision to the Pacific region's Calgary Northstars to fall to 0-3 in the six-team Air Canada Cup National Midget AAA Championships at Memorial Gardens.

In order to have a shot at one of four playoff spots, the North Stars will need to win their final two round robin games but the schedule isn't in the local's favour.

The North Stars will face off against Quebec's College Antoine-Girouard, which holds a 3-0 tournament record, tonight at 7 p.m. Their final game is Friday against the West's Yorkton Harvest from Saskatchewan at 1 p.m.

Last night, fans were treated to a penalty filled contest that Calgary quickly seized control of.

Calgary's Ryan Armstrong scored twice in the opening period, one of them on the power play, to give Calgary a lead they would not relinquish.

The Soo North Stars were dealt a devastating blow when leading scorer David Turco was assessed a checking from behind minor and a game misconduct with less than a minute remaining in the first period.

Matt Robinson scored the game winner for Calgary with a short handed goal at 12:56 of the second period before Tyler Gotto's power play goal gave Calgary a 4-0 lead after two periods.

After Nathan Brummitt made the score 5-0, the Soo North Stars scored a pair goals. North Stars' game star Nick Tombari, from Ryan Rocchetta and Adam Combs, and Adam Kauppi on the power play, from Tombari and Andrew Harrision, scored for the locals. Jesse Smyke closed the scoring for Calgary with a late empty net goal.

Statistically, Calgary outshot the Soo 31-17 while Calgary went two for 12 and the Soo one for nine on the power play. The North Stars Michael Maulucci started in net and allowed four goals before being replaced by Travis O'Brien.

Elsewhere, Quebec defeated Atlantic's St. John's Maple Leafs 2-1 and Team West defeated Central's Waterloo Wolves 2-1.

After Wednesday's action, Quebec stands alone in first place at 3-0 followed by Team Pacific and Team West at 2-1. Team Atlantic and Central are tied for the fourth spot at 1-2 while the North Stars are 0-3.

In other games Thursday, West meets Pacific at noon while Atlantic battles Central at 3:30 p.m.