Jr. Stars minor
atom OMHA champs
Sam Taylor scores four times in a 7-1 romp
By Rob J. Ross
Saturday, March 25, 2017
ST. THOMAS, Ont. - They are in a galaxy all their own.
Led by a four goal performance from Sam Taylor, the St. Thomas Jr. Stars burned the Uxbridge Stars, 7-1, at the Timken Centre today, to win the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) minor atom 'A' six point series, in five games.
"The boys came out flying," St. Thomas head coach Andrew Powers said. "We knew we were two equal teams and who over worked hardest was going win this series. We just out worked them (Uxbridge) today."
A pair of goals from Taylor and one by line-mate Mathew Zylstra, had the Jr. Stars leading 3-0 after two periods.
Adrian Hammell put Uxbridge on the board early third period, but a power play goal from Liam Metzger regained the home team's momentum.
Two more goals from Taylor, one with the man advantage and Matthew Masschaele's empty net short-handed tally, completed the Jr. Stars' scoring.
"We (coaches) were nervous. We felt like kids before the game," Power said. "They (players) came in and acted a lot older than their age. They stuck together and motivated each other. That was our words all season, stick together, work hard and play as a team.
"They did a fantastic job. We had a lot of guys step up and help us win."
St. Thomas took the series opener, 3-2, on March 11, before Uxbridge won back to back games. The Jr. Stars tied the affair at four points a side, with a 6-1 win at Uxbridge on March 19.
"Awesome. It feels really good," expressed Taylor, a grade four student at St. Anne's elementary school. Taylor added pre-game jitters were quickly calmed after scoring first.
"All year he (Taylor) has been dangerous," Powers said. "He has speed, a good shot and some nice hands. Him, Matthew Zylstar and Chase Holder, compliment each other real nice."
Says Taylor of his team-mates, "We pass a lot".
The newly crowned provincial champions prepared for the biggest game of their hockey careers, by having access to the dressing room of the St. Thomas Jr. B Stars this past week.
"Them getting treated like they were kings, leaving their equipment here, they realized this was a big deal," Powers said. "We did it collectively as a group through the series. We won as a team and that's the best feeling really."
Tournaments and playing several double A centres, such as the London Jr. Knights, moulded the Jr. Stars as the season progressed.
"We (coaches) made decisions as a group. Everybody had their input. We worked on skill development all year, because if we know those guys (players) can skate, pass and shoot, everything else will come in to place," Powers said. "Halfway through when we were competing with double A teams. We knew we had a special group."
The Jr. Stars faced challenges along the way in the OMHA play-downs, which included wins over Essex and Centre Wellington. In the quarter-finals, Grimsby led the six point series, four nothing, before St. Thomas roared back with a trio of victories.
Each player and coach receives a gold medal, as well as one of the well known OMHA champion red hats.