The Soo North Stars won the opening game of a two-game series on Saturday night but head coach Mike Hall would like to see some improvement.
Playing the Great North Midget League's weakest team in the North Bay Trappers, which have won only one of their 15 games this season, the short-staffed North Stars managed to seal a 5-2 win at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
The final game of the two-game set is slated for Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Rhodes.
Matt D'Agostini led the North Stars attack with three goals while Adam Kauppi and Zac Torquato scored one each. Mike D'Agostini and Michael Sharp recorded three assists each.
Philippe Bouffard and Mark Knight replied for the Trappers while Lance McMahon assisted on both markers.
With the win, the North Stars add to their lead on top of the GNML standings with a 13-0-0-2 record for 28 points.
Despite the win, Hall wasn't happy with his team's play. The coach mentioned he would like to see his team work harder, win more one-on-one battles and get the puck on net more.
"I really wasn't too happy with the way we played out there. We lost too many battles along the boards and we have to pick it up," said Hall. "Injuries are one things but the guys who are playing need to step it up.
"There were times we tried to make the extra play that wasn't there and we were a little too fancy around the net when we should getting the shot on goal. But we just need to work harder than we did and we got beat in the second period tonight."
The North Stars played the game with a short bench as only four defenseman and eight forwards were able to suit up for the game. Shaun Siemers, Tyler Lannigan and Kyle Rodgers, who is out at least another three weeks with a shoulder injury, remain on the side lines.
The team expects to call up Mike Quesnelle, a defenseman from the Soo Thunder AAA Bantams, for some relief on the blueline on Sunday.