The Glenview Stars Silver team (A1 Division) powered their way through the competition Thanksgiving weekend outscoring their opponents 24 to 7 over the four day event. Netminder Mairead Harris saved her best for last with a 4-0 shutout of the host Northbrook Bluehawks. "This was her best game of the season. She came up with some big stops early on which really ignited the team. That was a championship-style performance against a tough team," said Stars coach Nick Panos Sunday afternoon.

Performance is just what the Stars got from forward Casey Roman who scored the game's opening goal fueled by an outstanding backcheck and pass by James Gorman to Matt Schauwecker who fed Roman in the crease for the team’s only score in the first period.  Forwards Jack Muir, Owen Mirka, Lance Medina, John Panos, Alex Leftakes and Max Abramov continued to sustain the tremendous pressure on the Bluehawks' zone throughout the the first and second periods. "It was an absolute carpet bombing, our goalie did a nice job of holding off a talented bunch of kids, their defense did an outstanding job as well,” said the Bluehawks' head coach.

Owen Mirka punched in the Star’s second goal of the game after a couple of nice moves in open ice, set up by pressure in the neutral zone by Joe Walker and Jack Muir. "Consistent backchecking and pressure between the blue lines is the secret of success, that’s just the way we are wired," said Muir.

The Stars defense was exceptional, keeping the puck in the Bluehawk zone for much of the game. Ibrahim Arifi, John Jarosz, Alex Thomas and Joey Walker were tremendous pressuring the puck and turning away all of the Bluehawk threats. Alex Thomas went coast-to-coast during a Stars power-play in the third period for the team's third goal of the game, the dagger that took the punch out of the exhausted Bluehawks. "Her play mirrored Ibrahim Arifi's great end-to-end goal in the first game of the tournament. We give the defense the green light if the timing is right and Alex hit the zone hard; she’s fun to watch,” said Stars defense coach Ted Ward.

The Stars forward Matt Schauwecker added the team’s fourth goal in the third period, a laser just above the circle. "Man, that was fun. James drew the pressure and passed me the puck, I just loaded up and gave it a ride. I'm not sure if the goalie even saw it!" said Schauwecker.

The Bluehawks went 0-3 on power plays due to aggressive play from Stars penalty killers Max Abramov and Casey Roman and a great defensive effort by Ibrahim Arifi and John Jarosz. "These guys gave it their all today and I couldn’t be more proud. It’s still early in the season but I like the way they're coming together. I believe everyone got on the board this weekend, a credit to our team play," said Stars offense coach Joe Walker.

On a final note, the Stars wish Brodie Ingersoll and his family all the best on the next chapter of their lives. We'll miss you all.

Game Notes

Stars player Lance Medina returned to the lineup after short stint in Mexico. "The beach was just what the doctor ordered; I couldn’t be more pleased with my tan,” said Medina.

Stars power forward Ian Carpenter, a Mt. Prospect standout and an early season pickup, was on vacation but was reached by phone in south Florida. When informed of the team's success, Carpenter stated, "It doesn't surprise me where this team is going. I heard there was some nice passing going on. Congrats to all and I'm looking forward to rejoining the team when I get back."

Nick Panos and Lynne Schauwecker contributed to this article.