North Stars Hold On For One Goal Win In See-Saw Battle

In a rematch from the day previous, the Owen Sound North Stars (5-3) faced the Ennismore James Gang (2-8) at the Robert E. Young Recreation Centre in Ennismore, Ontario.

The goalie match-up had Gavin Clarke in net for the North Stars facing Cole George in net for Ennismore. 

A see-saw battle throughout the day had the teams continually get locked in ties.  Ennismore jumped out to an 3-1 lead in the first, but three late goals in 1:01 had the North Stars up by one at the break.

It looked like Owen Sound was going to grab ahold of the game in the second getting out to an 7-4 lead, on the strength of a power-play goal, as well as a shorthanded goal.  The James Gang fought back with three of their own.  Ennismore scored two late second period goals, followed by the tying goal coming early in the third.   

The third period was an exciting back and forth affair.  Owen Sound jumped up by a pair midway through the period, but Michael Blaymires (4g,1a) midway through pulled the James Gang within one.  Rob Harris gave the North Stars a bit of breathing room, but again Blaymires got Ennismore within one with just under five minutes remaining. 

Both teams poured on the pressure down the stretch, but the goaltending by Cole George and Gavin Clarke was outstanding.  Owen Sound held on for the 10-9 win, splitting the two game weekend set.

To The Game:

Nick Dilauro opened the scoring with a blast off a Mason Tardiff pass at 3:21, but Teyatsu Yamada answered with a low to low laser off a Wyatt Barfoot pass at 5:31.

Frank Coyle gave Ennismore the lead once again converting a Mason Tardiff pass at 6:55, followed by Michael Blaymires with an outside shot off a Brandon Johnson feed at 8:55 staked Ennismore to a 3-1 lead.

Owen Sound put a late push on with Isaac Newland finishing an Owen Stephenson pass at 13:37, followed by Jordan Caskenette with a blast off a Wyatt Barfoot pass at 14:00.  Barfoot himself then added a late goal unassisted to give the North Stars the lead at 14:38.

After one period, Owen Sound 4 Ennismore 3.

Second Period:
The James Gang tied the game with Nick Dilauro finishing a Bryce Dennis pass at 5:08, but Wyatt Barfoot's power-play goal gave the North Stars the lead once again at 6:47.

Teyatsu Yamada increased the Owen Sound lead shorthanded off a Rob Harris pass at 8:45, followed by a Jack Fitzpatrick marker off an Isaac Newland feed at 16:25.

Ennismore put on another late push to bring the game close heading to the third.  Aaron Bradshaw hit a high to low bounced shot off a Brandon Johnson feed at 16:56, followed by Michael Blaymires with a quick stick off a Nick Dilauro pass at 18:35.

After two periods, Owen Sound 7 Ennismore 6.

Third Period:

Mason Tardiff tied the game for the James Gang on the power-play off a Frank Coyle pass at 6:07, but Teyatsu Yamada's third of the game gave Owen Sound the lead again in this back and forth struggle.

Rob Harris gave the North Stars a two goal lead off a Brody Caskenette pass at 8:43, but Michael Blaymires brought Ennismore within one with a sidearm snipe off a Mason Tardiff pass at 9:40.

Rob Harris again gave Owen Sound a two goal spread again with a bounced shot off a Jack Fitzpatrick pass at 11:00, but again Michael Blaymires scored with a great individual effort at 15:04 on the power-play to bring the game within one.

Both teams had chances in the last few minutes, but great goaltending by Gavin Clarke and Cole George kept this a one goal game.

Final score, Owen Sound 10 Ennismore 9.

The Three Stars:

1. Teyatsu Yamada 
2. Michael Blaymires 
3. Rob Harris