The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
It was a battle up in Thompson last weekend as the Norman Northstars took on the division leaders, the Pembina Valley Hawks. The Hawks had only lost four games prior to the weekend and currently roster the leagues top point-getter, Nathan Suderman. The Norman Northstars were trying to continue their unbeaten streak in regulation games at home while they took on the Pembina Valley Hawks. On Saturday, the Northstars took a 1-0 lead early in the first when Brent Wilson scored unassisted. The Hawks tied the game at one later in the period. The Hawks took a 2-1 lead in the second, however Jon Mowatt scored to tie the game, assisted by Rory McKie of Thompson and assistant captain, Jordan Crone. The Hawks scored late in the third and then had an empty net goal to take a 4-2 win. Josh Kozar was in net for the Northstars and faced 41 shots while the Northstars managed only 18. Kozar was named game star while Mowatt had the crunch of the game. The Northstars had not been beaten this year at home in regulation since the home opener back in October. The Northstars finished their weekend series with the Hawks with a big win in a shootout. During regulation the Hawks scored first, putting the pressure on the Northstars early. Thevenot of Thompson scored the equalizer, assisted by Korchinski. The second period was all Norman as they outshot the Hawks, but still were looking to tie the game. The third period got a little rough as both teams had three players in the box at one time. This seemed to spur the Northstars on and they got the equalizer goal and a go ahead goal. Pembina Valley was not about to give up. With five minutes remaining in the third, the Hawks scored. The last minutes of the game were end to end. The overtime was just as intense, a little more so for Norman as they took an interference penalty. Nothing was decided in the OT. Three shooters were selected and the shoot-out began. First to shoot for Norman was Max Thevenot who could not beat the Hawks goalie. Rory McKie then stood at center ice, his first time in a shoot out, he lost the puck deep in the end and couldn't get a good shot away. Kyle Stephansson was then next to shoot but did not score. Northstar Ryan Delorame stood tall and intimidating, not letting the Hawks get a sniff at the back of the net. Brent Wilson of the Northstars stepped up to shoot and buried it between the pipes, giving the Northstars the win. The Northstars will prepare for two games this weekend against the Winnipeg Wild. Recently, a ruling has been changed allowing the Flin Flon Bombers to call up local players from Manitoba AAA Midget. Bomber Coach and GM, Mike Reagan has utilized this ruling change and called up Norman Northstars Tanner Korchinski and Jordan Crone. Both players played in Tuesdays game against Battleford and performed well. To track our local players go to "http://www.northstars.com" Go Northstars!
