It wasn't the finest of efforts that the Soo North Stars have put forth this season but the team still managed to take both games of a weekend series with Rayside Balfour.
The North Stars opened the series on Saturday with a 5-2 win before edging the Jr. Sabrecats 5-3 on Sunday afternoon at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
With first place in the Great North Midget League already secured for the 28-2-0-2 North Stars, the team's only focus is geared toward fine tuning for the playoffs. With those playoffs still a month away, the team's biggest challenge will be to remained focused down the regular season stretch run.
"We keep harping on them about the fact that we need to get ready for the playoffs," said North Stars head coach Mike Hall. "We've clinched and everything else and sometimes it is hard to get motivated. But we need to continue to get better and we've had a bit of letdown after the Steel City but that is to be expected after a tournament like that."
"We need to stay sharp because there is quite a bit of parity in this league. After us there is not much difference between second and ninth except a couple of points between each team."
On Sunday, Matt D'Agostini opened the scoring for the North Stars in the first period on the power play before Steve Rachkowski answered for the Sabrecats less than a minute later. Kyle Rodgers put the Soo ahead 2-1 with a marker late in the period.
Captain Adam Kauppi put the North Stars up 3-1 before penalty trouble allowed Rayside crawl back into the game once again with a goal while enjoying a two-man advantage.
Michael Sharp scored the game winner moments later when the forward took a lead pass and stick handled through the Sabrecats defense and beat goaltender Jonathan Robin through the five-hole for a 4-2 lead.
Tyler Lannigan scored a late second period goal for the North Stars and Dave Thibert capped the scoring with a goal for Rayside in the third period.
Travis O'Brien recorded the win in net, Paul Dupont chipped in with three assists while Tyler Gendron and Kauppi added two assists each for the North Stars.
"I thought our defense played much better today for the first time since the Steel City," said Hall. "I also thought that Michael Sharp had an incredible weekend. He has been playing really well and has been really strong for us lately."
Things became interesting late in the third period as tempers began to flare on both sides.
After a brawl inside the Rayside crease which saw all 10 skaters leave the game with 10 minute misconduct penalties, Lannigan squared off with Rayside's Ryan Piche for a fight. Lannigan will receive a one-game suspension for his efforts.
With the final minutes ticking away, the North Stars were left with two forwards, a defenseman and a back-up goaltender on the bench.
On Saturday, Matt Caria led the North Stars attack with two goals while singles went to Frank D'Addetta, Sharp and Rodgers. Michael D'Agostini added two assists while Michael Maulucci recorded the win in net.
The North Stars entered the weekend set after dropping only their second GNML game of the year on Wednesday night in Sudbury 7-4 to Lockerby Nickel Capitals. Matt D'Agostini scored twice for the North Stars, who surrendered five third period goals, while Michael D'Agostini and Zack Torquato added singles.
The North Stars will be back in action next weekend with a pair of games against Sudbury at the Rhodes beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.