Centerman Derek Todosichuk intercepted the opposition's neutral zone pass and flipped it to winger Jay Ritchie who quickly connected with Dartch who was flying down the right side. Dartch's quick snap shot nailed the top right corner sealing Norstar's 9th Championship and first since 2014.
Norstar won the best of 3 series 2 - 0 without some key players proving if you follow a system - good things will happen.
Norstar had to battle back from a 1 - 0 deficit with 4:18 left in the game with a goal from Kurtis Bartliff who was nicely set by Derek Todosichuk who took a cycled-pass from Aaron Dartch. Goalie Randy Kilburn stopped 36 of 37 shots in a very humid environment.
Today's success really started back in the middle of the 2017 season when Norstar was 4 and 8 with 8 games left and well out of a playoff spot. Injuries to key players and with few games left Norstar players regrouped and vowed to finish the season with pride. Norstar stayed focused and went on to win 6 of their last 7 games to clinch a playoff birth in the final game of the regular season surprising the league.
This refreshed attitude and new hockey style continued on into 2018 where Norstar secured an early playoff spot with some great play from all ends of the game.
Goalie Randy Kilburn earned First Team All Star status this year playing some great net keeping Norstar in many close games.
Offence, offence, offence - and Norstar had it creating many opportunities. The Norstar offense manage to click on many different line combinations proving the system works. The top line was led by First Team All Star and captain Aaron Dartch who played with winger Jay Ritchie and centerman Derek Todosichuk. If that was too much to handle - the second line was centered by First Team All Star Mike Juszczynski with wingers First Team All Star Rob Carreiro, speedster Myles Rombough, Jared Hutchinson, Matt Maloney and Kurtis Bartliff.
Where Norstar really improved was on defense. This group was greatly lifted with the additions of James Toye and Mike Golinowski. The defense was led by First Team All Star Chris Carreiro and Simon Coutu, Spencer Hutchinson and Tim Burns. These guys allowed only 3 goals against in their last 4 playoff games - very, very nice.
Norstar advances to the 2018 Provincials with London being the host city August 24, 25, 26, 2018.
