Although they weren’t completely successful, the midget AA Thompson King Miners deployed radically different strategies to try and beat the Norway House North Stars at home this past weekend.
While the King Miners started out their Jan. 19 match-up by scoring three goals in the first seven minutes, the rest of the contest was a showcase for both team’s defensive capabilities.
For the North Stars, they almost completely shut down the King Miners’ scoring chances after the first 20 minutes, since the Thompson team struggled to register any shots on goal in the second and third period.
Meanwhile, King Miners goalie Isaak Weenusk stood on his head for most of the contest, stopping 34 shots throughout the entire 60 minutes of play.
Even though the North Stars were still able to sneak two goals past Weenusk by the end of the third period, the King Miners were able to hold the line and capture a 3–2 victory by the skin of their teeth.
In stark contrast, both teams leaned a lot more heavily on their offensive firepower during Saturday’s contest.
In fact, the North Stars played like a completely different team right from the start, and took an early 4–1 lead by the end of the first.
Norway House would continue to turn up the heat in the second period, adding another four goals to the scoreboard, while the King Miners could only manage a single point in response.
Although the King Miners mounted an admirable comeback attempt late in the third period by scoring two goals, it was too little, too late and the North Stars were able to walk away from the C.A. Nesbitt Arena with an 8–4 victory.
Despite this weekend’s mixed result, the King Miners are still tied with the North Stars for second place in the Norman Midget AA Hockey league, with both teams sporting a 12–6 win-loss record.
The King Miners will still get a chance to clinch the top spot in the league, since they will be taking on the Cross Lake Islanders and North Stars on the road in early February to close out the 2017–2018 regular season.
