North Stars survive battle with Timmins

The Soo North Stars may have an unblemished record this season but the bumps and bruises obtained in compiling the record are starting to take its toll on the hockey club.

The North Stars improved their record to 10-0 in the Great North Midget League with a 4-2 win over the second place Timmins Majors on Saturday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre. The loss was only the second in 11 games for Timmins.

The North Stars used a well played transition game to wreak havoc in the Timmins zone in the first two periods. The North Stars fell back on their heels in the third period but managed to hang on for the win.

Mike D'Agostini scored his first of two goals early in the first period before Michael Sharp scored 24 seconds later to give the North Stars a 2-0 lead. D'Agostini's second marker put the North Stars ahead 3-0 after two periods.

Paul Dupont gave the locals a 4-0 lead in the third before Timmins controlled the play through the final minutes. Mark Katic and Patrick Belanger scored for Timmins with under five minutes remaining.

"I was really happy with the effort we showed in the first two periods although we had a bit of a let down in the third," said North Stars head coach Mike Hall.

"We were skating well and our transition game was excellent. We had several chances to really open up the game but we hit three posts and a crossbar."

North Stars goaltender Michael Maulucci was again solid in net stopping 29 of the 31 shots fired his way. The North Stars fired 41 shots on the Timmins net.

The game ended on a disappointing note for the North Stars as Timmins' Patrick Parisi took a healthy run at the North Stars' Kyle Rodgers at the buzzer.

Parisi drove Rodger's head into the boards hard causing an injury which will likely keep Rodgers out of the line-up. The extent of the injuries is not known at this time.

"It's a little disheartening for something like that to happen with one second left in the game," said Hall. "This is an injury that we can't afford and the injury bug is starting to catch up to us now."

For his actions, Parisi was assessed a major penalty for checking to the head and a game misconduct.

The two teams will be at it again on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. at the Rhodes.

The North Stars will get a little relief for Sunday's game as Tyler Lannigan will return to the line-up after a suspension.

Tyler Gendron will not play as he continues to nurse a shoulder injury. The team will likely be forced to call up a player for the game as well.