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.
Well, it was fight night at the CA Nesbitt Arena in Thompson the weekend of January 25 as the Norman Northstars battled the undefeated Winnipeg Thrashers. The Thrashers currently give up an average of one goal a game and the Northstars would have their work cut out for them. The first period of Saturday's game was fast and intense. The Thrashers scored midway through the first. As usual the officiating was horrific, but why would the fans expect anything else. The gloves first came off behind the Thrasher goal when Kyle Stephansson took exception to a slash from the Winnipeg team. Both players were tossed. Kajon McKay took a checking from behind penalty earlier and was already watching from the stands. The Second period was much like the first. Three players from one line would drop the gloves, all being ejected from the game. Somehow, the Northstars ended up with an extra seven minutes in penalties. Coach Korman took offense to this and was also quickly ejected from the game. Coach Benson on the other hand continued to monopolize the refÕs time by calling the game from his bench. Thrashers would score another three goals in the third to make it 5-0. The third was a slow period as both teams only had 13 skaters. The ref must have felt like he had a hand in his pocket as the Thrasher Captain was never far from his side, constantly complaining about the Northstars. Dougie Mcleod came out of the penalty box during the third and ran a Thrasher over. King Benson nearly lost his mind at this point and began to call on the Northstars himself. The class of his team was never so apparent. None of that will be reported to Hockey Manitoba. There was one more bout during the third but no scoring. After the game, Coach Benson followed the Officiating staff into their dressing room like a two year old follows his mother. The Thrashers won the game, what more could they possibly want? SundayÕs game wasnÕt quite as physical, but no less emotional. Northstar players and coaching staff have been complaining for years about the utter disgusting display of officiating they endure and nothing was ever done by Hockey Manitoba. One call from King Benson late Saturday night and a Hockey Manitoba representative was at the rink for Sunday's game. Now that is power. The first two periods were good, fast hockey. With the score tied at one a piece after the first and 2-1 after the second, Norman endured seven penalties before the Thrashers got their first. The boys were tired and frustrated, not knowing what was acceptable and what wasnÕt. Korman was told before the game that if there was any shenanigans, his team would be penalized 2-1 and they certainly were. Stephansson would score the lone goal for the Northstars assisted by our own Jordan Crone. Stephansson would also hit the game sheet one more time with his second fight in two nights. In three years, this is the first old time hockey IÕve witnessed at the CA Nesbitt Arena. Winnipeg has control of this league and IÕm sure that Northstars will pay that price during playoffs or in the way of fines. Go Northstars!!
