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Stars fall to LaSalle in OT
 

 Slow start hurts Stars in OT loss

   

   St. Thomas rallied from a mid game three goal deficit, only to have

   LaSalle ruin a comeback scoring in extra time

 

 

  February 11, 2022

 

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By Rob. J. Ross 

ST. THOMAS - The comeback fell a goal short for the St. Thomas Stars.

Down 4-1, mid second period, the Stars battled back with three consecutive goals, sending the game in to overtime.

But the LaSalle Vipers scored four minutes in to the extra session, with Spencer Lecot netting the game winner, during three on three play, for a 5-4 win, Friday, at the Joe.

The Stars pick up one point and remain in seventh place in the Western Conference with a 10-19-2-1 record. St. Thomas has 23 points, two ahead of eighth place Strathroy.

"Getting one point is always crucial in a game like this," Stars' captain Tristan Roberts said. "It's hard when we start slow. We pulled ourselves back in the game, but if we don't need to it's always better. You want to play ahead of the game always. If we can start better, we'll win more games."

LaSalle led 3-1 after one period, opening the scoring just a minute and 42 seconds into the game on a goal by Tanner Winegard. After Liam Kidder knotted the affair at one, Vipers' Nic Pavia scored shorthanded and then on the power play.

LaSalle looked to have control with a fourth goal mid second period, from Andrew Kotevski.

"Small mistakes at the blueline and not getting the puck deep, will cost you," said Roberts. "Then the momentum is tough to stop. We did and we got back in to the game."

Roberts gave life to the Stars with five minutes remaining in the second, with his 10th goal of the season. Two minutes later, Maddox Amaral pulled the Stars to within a goal, while shorthanded.

Early in the third period, the Stars thought they tied the game on the power play, but the goal was waved off. The home side remained persistent and Mathieu Paris buried his 13th goal of the campaign, during a five-on-three power play.

"We never want to start slow, but to get back into the game was big, Roberts said. "Our goals on the power play and shorthanded were clutch."

LaSalle had the only three shots in the extra period.

"Overtime is tough," Roberts said. "It's three on three. It's hard after it's been five on five for 60 minutes. One break is all that it takes."

Rookie defenceman Oliver Bonk picked up up three assists, while Tyler Alexander had two helpers.

Tanner W

The Stars visit London, February 16 and host St. Marys, Feb. 18.

Notes: Paris leads the Stars with 13 goals and 25 points. Bonk has a team high 17 assists and is second in scoring with 22 points. Both players are London Knights' 2021 draft picks. The Stars own the third best power play in the entire league, at 20.9 per cent, behind only Hamilton and London. The penalty kill needs improvement, at a 78 per cent efficiency. 

 

 

 

       


        rob@hometownplay.ca

 

 

 



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