Eastern Stars win first two games

The Down East Auto Parts Eastern Stars made it two straight wins at the Atlantic under-18 AAA female hockey championship in Corner Brook, N.L.

The Stars, who opened round-robin play in the fiveteam tournament with a 4-0 win over New Brunswick’s Western Flames on April 4, doubled the Tri-Pen Ice from Newfoundland and Labrador in a morning contest April 5.

The Stars faced the Nova Scotia and defending Atlanticchampion Northern Subway Selects in an afternoon contest featuring two teams with records of 2-0 (won-lost). The P.E.I.-champion Stars conclude round-play against the host Western Warriors on April 6 at 11:30 a.m.

The top two teams following round-robin play advance to the championship game while the third- and fourth-place teams will play for bronze. Both medal games will be played April 7.

The winning team will represent the Atlantic region at the Esso Cup Canadian under-18 female hockey championship in Vernon, B.C., April 21-27.

STARS 6 ICE 3

Emily Gardiner scored twice while Renée Chapman added two assists to lead the Stars’ offence against the Ice. Cassie Gordon, Emily Lutley, Reese Baker and Abby Dingwell netted single tallies for the Stars, who received a balanced offensive attack as 11 different players recorded at least a point. Kali MacDonald, Miah Lawlor, Jessi Doyle, Taylor Hunter and Ellie Mullins collected helpers.

Chloe Pitts scored all three goals for the Ice (0-2).

The Ice led 1-0 after the first period. The Stars answered with three goals in the middle frame to take a 3-2 lead into the second intermission.

Winning goaltender Halle Blanchard stopped 14 of 17 shots. Ice netminder Brookelyn Drover turned aside 34 of 40 shots.

STARS 4 FLAMES 0

The Stars led 1-0 after the opening period and extended that margin to 3-0 before the second intermission.

Olivia Lowe had a perfect performance in goal for the Stars, recording a 22-save shutout.

Offensively, Gardiner contributed a goal and an assist while Dingwell registered a pair of helpers to lead the Stars.

MacDonald, Doyle and Mullins also found the back of the net for the Stars. Mullins’ goal with 1:48 remaining in the opening period stood up as the game-winning tally.

Lawlor, Gordon and Sophie McKeigan chipped in with single helpers for the Stars, who directed 31 shots at Flames goaltender Riley Partington.