Millman delivers for St. Thomas

      Stars' rookie defenceman scores game winner against Komoka 

             Friday, December 15, 2017

By Rob J. Ross

ST. THOMAS -   Mason Millman and Peter Fleming showed why they are representing the St. Thomas Stars at the Future Stars game.

The St. Thomas Stars' 16-year old rookie defenceman's third period goal was the game winner, as the Stars edged the Komoka Kings, 3-2, in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) action, at the Timken Centre.

 Sitting third in the Western Conference, the Stars reached the 40-point plateau, improving to 19-10-1-1, by winning their 12th game at home.

"We didn't have a great start. The first period we had a lot turnovers and the second was similar. I thought in the third we took over and had control," Stars' head coach Darren Kelly said.

Komoka opened the scoring with D'Arcy Panziera's late first period goal.

Peter Fleming and Ryan Bangs, scored within three minutes of each other, before the five minute mark of the second period. But Kurt Watson tied the game, four minutes later.

Millman put the Stars ahead for good, with his sixth goal of the season, three minutes in to the third period.

St. Thomas couldn't add any insurance, despite a five-on-three power play for a minute and half, with Kings' goalie Riegan Gies, making a few three bell saves. Gies stopped 36 pucks in the game, as the Stars out shot the Kings.

"Their goalie played well and was their best penalty killer," said Kelly.

Millman and Fleming, a 16-year old forward, will be representing the Stars at the GOJHL Future Stars game (16-year olds), December 28, in Ancaster. Stars' forward Jake Desando will be skating in the Top Prospects (17 and 18-year olds) game, occurring the same day.

"He's offensively gifted and smart. He sees the ice well and knows when to jump in. He's a gem," Kelly said of Millman.

St. Thomas is among a four team battle for second place in the West, all within four points of each other and chasing the front running London Nationals, who have not loss in regulation since falling to the Stars, on November 10.

"We started the year off, win one lose one, win one, lose one, then our goaltender (Anthony) Hurtubise stepped up and we went on a nice little run (six game win streak)," Kelly said. "Our guys are starting to get more confident. Our younger guys are more confident. They've seen every team in the league once and got more familiar and understand the pace of play. We have a young team but our dressing room is pretty good."

The Stars have three games remaining in 2017, against Strathroy, Sarnia and LaSalle.

"They're big games against teams we're battling for second with. Hopefully we can get three wins and that will move us up a little bit going into the new year," said Kelly. "We need the kids to play hard and keep battling (and) the younger guys to step up and keep performing like they have."

The Stars bench boss adds the players need to seize on more scoring opportunities occurring right in front of them.

"We shouldn't be turning our backs away from the play. If we're driving hard to the net, stop at the net, don't skate by the net," Kelly stresses. "There were a few times we had an odd man rush to the net, shot on the net and the rebound was there, but the guys were turning away after skating 200 feet. The goals are there. The opportunities are there if you work hard for them."

The Stars acquired 18-year old goalie Jesse Hodgson, from the Brantford 99ers, after goalie Kodie Oude Vashaar requested a trade.

Kevin Hu leads the Stars with 25 goals and 29 assists, in 31 games. Hu is tied for most goals in the entire GOJHL and tied for second in point production.