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.
The Norman Northstars accomplished two daunting tasks last weekend as they split two games with the Winnipeg Wild. The Northstars are the first rural team in the Manitoba Midget AAA Hockey league this season to beat a Winnipeg team. Winnipeg currently has only two teams coming out of their city of approximately 650,000. The Thrashers not only have the eastern city catchment area, but Selkirk as well. The Wild have only lost to the Thrashers who are currently undefeated. This is also the first time since the mid-'90s that the Northstars have beaten a Winnipeg team. Saturday's game against the Wild was well played by the Northstars who outshot the opposition 32-17. Wild goalie, Matt Krahn, was unbeatable. Sixteen-year-old Krahn was the last cut for the Saskatoon Blades this fall. The Northstars had four outstanding opportunities but the Wild goalie shut the door. Twice the puck rested on the goal line but did not cross. As well as they played, the Northstars could not find the back of the net and lost 3-0. Coach Korman was pleased with his teams effort even though the outcome was not what they wanted. Fifteen-year-old Ryan Delorme of The Pas was in net. Again the Northstars came out flying for Sunday's game. They were first to score in the opening frame, a power play goal from Max Thevenot of Thompson assisted by Tanner Korchinski. The Wild came charging back to tie it up before the first period break. Rory Mckie scored a short handed goal, assisted by Korchinski, in the second to take the lead. Mckie would score again on the power play early in the third. Style In typical Winnipeg style, the Wild did not give up and only came on stronger in the third, scoring again to make it 3-2. Josh Kozar of Winnipeg, was outstanding for the Northstars and would not see much rubber for the remainder of the game. Number one defenseman in the league, Brent Wilson would score the insurance goal for the Northstars late in the third, making it 4-2. The Northstars managed to burn the clock down and secure the victory. Shots on net were 37-24 favouring the Northstars. Coach Korman was extremely pleased with the effort, "I can't say enough about our guys...how they responded and skated with the Wild, best effort this season! I really thought the Wild could not contain our cycle down low. We played more physical then we have played in a while, which was very important for our success. "It should give our team extra confidence in knowing that they can play with the top teams in the league. What we have proven is that we are not a team that can only beat teams below us in the standings." Currently the Northstars are tied for third in their division and fourth in the league with the Eastman Selects of Steinbach. Stealing two points from the Pembina Valley Hawks and another two from the Winnipeg Wild are a bonus for this team. They are beating the teams that they should beat and competing with the power house in each division. Early in the season, there was skepticism by many as to how well this team was going to do. After an 0-5 start, the Northstars have only gained momentum as the last third of the season begins. The Northstars play at home for all of January and are hosting the All Star Game on February 2. Last season, the Northstars sent three players to Portage, but this year we hope to see four or five Northstars representing the Eastern Division. There was a local connection with the Wild team as Art O'Donnell's son, Brendon, managed to hit the game sheet a couple of times with assists. Art made the trip north with Brendon and had a visit with the Flin Flon parents. The Northstars started their Christmas break December 21 and will resume play on December 28 in Gimli. There current record is 13-10-1-2. To follow our local Northstar players, visit www.normannorthstars.com Go Northstars!
