North Stars ready for regional semi-final

The Soo North Stars are ready to make their bid for a trip to the national championships.

After dropping their final round robin game on Friday, the North Stars are ready to face the Waterloo Wolves in the semi-finals of the National Midget Hockey Championship Regional Playdowns in Belleville.

In a meaningless contest on Friday afternoon, the North Stars were doubled by the Toronto Marlies 6-3.

Despite the loss, the North Stars claimed second spot in standings and will face third place Waterloo in one semi-final at 10 a.m.

Michael Sharp paced the locals with two goals while Matt Caria added a single. Adam Kauppi recorded two assists. Travis O'Brien made the start in goal.

The North Stars were awarded second place despite being tied with the Wolves at 4-2 due to the Soo's 4-1 round robin win over Waterloo on Tuesday.

In other action on Friday, Gloucester beat the Greater Kingston Predators 8-6 and Waterloo defeated the Markham Waxers 3-1 before rolling past the Quinte Red Devils 7-1.

In the other semi-final, the unbeaten Gloucester Rangers take on the Marlies at 1 p.m.

The winners will meet in Sunday's gold medal game at 1 p.m. while the losers will meet for the bronze medal at 10 a.m.

The eventual champion will advance to the National Midget Hockey Championship in Kenora April 19-25.

To visit the tournament web site, click here.

* FINAL ROUND ROBIN STANDINGS: (wins-loses-ties-points)

Gloucester 6-0-0-12 Soo North Stars 4-2-0-8 Waterloo 4-2-0-8 Toronto 3-3-0-6 Markham 2-4-0-4 Greater Kingston 1-5-0-2 Quinte 1-5-0-2

*** PEE WEE PLAYDOWNS:

Cooper's Crane/Red Star Electric will battle for the provincial bronze medal after dropping their semi-final contest on Friday at the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) Pee Wee AAA Playdowns in Sudbury.

Facing the powerful and unbeaten Mississauga Reps, the locals fell 11-0 and were relegated to the bronze medal game.

Copper's Crane/Red Star Electric will now face the Ottawa Valley Titans for the bronze medal on Saturday after the Titans lost 5-2 to the Niagara Falls Thunder in the other semi-final. Game time is 10 a.m.

The gold medal contest between Mississauga and Niagara Falls begins at 1 p.m.

To visit the tournament web site, click here.

To read about how the locals advanced into the playoff round on Thursday from an article in Friday's Sudbury Star, click here.