North Stars go up two games with OT win

The Soo North Stars have a commanding 2-0 lead in the Great North Midget League championship series after a thrilling overtime win in game two.

On Sunday afternoon at the John Rhodes Community Centre, the North Stars edged the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves 6-5 and are now just a game away from capturing the best-of-five series.

Brett Thompson scored the winner in overtime to cap a thrilling contest.

Anthony Colizza and Micky Sartoretto scored in the first period to give the locals a 2-0 lead.

In the second period, Chuck Carre scored 20 seconds into the frame for Sudbury to cut the lead in half but Jerry Petingalo notched another four minutes later to restore the two goal North Stars cushion.

After Craig Laliberte's goal for the Wolves made the score 3-2, Jarrett Burton scored his first of two goals to send the Soo to the dressing room with a 4-2 lead.

But the Wolves had plenty of bite for the third period. Deven Stillar scored midway through the period to close the gap to 4-3 and then Laliberte's second goal of the game on the power play tied the score with 4:25 remaining.

With just two minutes left in regulation time, Burton put the North Stars ahead 5-4 but Stillar sent the game into overtime with just seven seconds left on the clock.

Burton and Sartoretto also picked up an assist each while Petingalo, Josh Cerasuolo and Kevin Smith each set up two others.

The series now shifts to the Countryside Arena in Sudbury for game three on Saturday at 8:25 p.m. If necessary, game four is slated for Sunday at 5:25 p.m.

*** GREAT NORTH MIDGET LEAGUE PLAYOFFS:

FINAL

1. SOO NORTH STARS vs. 2. SUDBURY

(North Stars lead series 2-0)

Game 1 - Soo 4 Sudbury 3 Game 2 - Soo 6 Sudbury 5 (OT) Game 3 - Mar. 24 - Soo vs. Sudbury (8:25 p.m.) * Game 4 - Mar. 25 - Soo vs. Sudbury (5:25 p.m.) * Game 5 - TBA - Sudbury vs. Soo

(* = if necessary)

SEMI-FINALS

1. SOO NORTH STARS vs. 4. NORTH BAY TRAPPERS

(North Stars win series 3-0)

Game 1 - Soo 12 North Bay 1 Game 2 - Soo 9 North Bay 2 Game 3 - Soo 7 North Bay 2

2. SUDBURY vs. 3. VALLEY EAST

(Sudbury wins series 3-0)

Game 1 - Sudbury 5 Valley East 2 Game 2 - Sudbury 5 Valley East 1 Game 3 - Sudbury 3 Valley East 2 (OT)

QUARTERFINALS

1. SOO NORTH STARS vs. 8. NEW LISKEARD

(North Stars win series 3-0)

Game 1 - Soo 5 New Liskeard 2 Game 2 - Soo 6 New Liskeard 2 Game 3 - Soo 4 New Liskeard 1

2. SUDBURY vs. 7. RAYSIDE BALFOUR

(Sudbury wins series 3-0)

Game 1 - Sudbury 5 Rayside 2 Game 2 - Sudbury 4 Rayside 2 Game 3 - Sudbury 4 Rayside 3

3. VALLEY EAST vs. 6. KIRKLAND LAKE

(Valley East wins series 3-1)

Game 1 - Valley East 5 Kirkland Lake 3 Game 2 - Valley East 6 Kirkland Lake 0 Game 3 - Kirkland Lake 7 Valley East 3 Game 4 - Valley East 4 Kirland Lake 0

4. NORTH BAY vs. 5. TIMMINS

(North Bay wins series 3-0)

Game 1 - North Bay 6 Timmins 5 (2OT) Game 2 - North Bay 9 Timmins 3 Game 3 - North Bay 7 Timmins 6

***