North Stars settle for silver at provincials

The Soo North Stars will return home on Sunday night with the provincial silver medal hanging from their necks.

In the championship game of the Ontario Hockey Federation AAA Midget Regional Championships in Toronto on Sunday afternoon, the North Stars fell 5-2 to the unbeaten Don Mills Flyers.

The Flyers claimed the gold medal and will represent the region at the upcoming national championships while the North Stars, pictured celebrating their Great North Midget League championship last month in North Bay, were presented with silver medals.

Don Mills built a 3-0 after two periods before the North Stars rallied for two goals in the third. Michael Quesnele scored early in the frame before Brad DiCandia added a late goal on the power play.

The loss puts an end to a record breaking season of hockey for the North Stars, who easily cruised to the GNML regular season and playoff championships. In the process, the team rewrote several league records in categories for points, wins, defense and goaltending.

The North Stars began the round robin at the provincials with a 5-0 record before falling to Don Mills in the final preliminary game on Friday. In the semi-finals on Saturday, the North Stars defeated the London Jr. Knights 3-2.

In the bronze medal game, London beat the Gloucester Rangers 5-3.