Stars trip up in Ontario, still hold advantage

The Tacoma Stars (10-7) tried to improve on the 2-7 road record thru 9 away games. The Stars visited the Citizens Business Bank Arena to face the Ontario Fury (7-8) who are hot on the the Stars tail for a playoff spot.

With 5,613 on hand to witness the match the Ontario Fury got to Tacoma early, striking twice in the first 12 minutes. Two more early second quarter goals saw a four goal Fury lead, only to be added two with four minutes left in the quarter.

Darren Sawatzky would rally his troops during the halftime break, and Tacoma would look to do what Ontario did to them.

Troy Peterson would get the ball rolling for the Stars in the second half with his fourth goal of the season. Alex Megson’s pass would be his 12th assist of the season.

Megson would provide the help again, with his team leading 13th assist of the season. Dan Antoniuk would be on the scoring end of the play banging home his 12th goal of the season.

Mike Ramos once again scored against the Fury. An unassisted effort, and his 13th of the season would move Tacoma closer to the Fury bring the score to 5-3. The fourth quarter would start with Tacoma chasing a two goal game.

Defender Evan McNeley would make things even tighter on the Fury, knocking home his 8th goal of the season. Megson would round out his three point night with his 3rd assist, bringing his total on the season to 14.

Raphael Cox would have his efforts payoff, as he slotted home a pass, his seventh goal of the season. Ramos would get an assist on the play, bringing his season total to 11.

Ontario would find a go a head goal with 1:31 left in the game. Tacoma would pull goalie Danny Waltman for the extra attacker. However that plan would backfire, as Leonardo De Oliveria would find the back of the net with one second remaining. The goal would also secure him a hat trick.

The loss would see Tacoma fall to 10-8 on the campaign, and 2-1 vs the Fury this season. Because of those two wins Tacoma will hold an advantage over the Fury if the head-to-head tiebreaker is needed.

Tacoma now has two games remaining in the season. Both of which are home at the ShoWare Center in Kent, WA. These two games will be key in the playoff hunt for the Stars.

Speaking of playoffs, two spots remain up for grabs, with four teams clinching their spots. The San Diego Sockers were one of the four squads to qualify and will most likely hold home field advantage for the divisional round.

Tacoma can clinch a playoff spot with one of the following scenarios:

1. Tacoma wins and Ontario loses in any of the three games they play
2. Ontario losses two of the three games they play.

The next stars home game will be Friday (AKA Sounder at Heart night) vs the Chicago Mustangs. Chicago is currently 9-8 and were eliminated from playoff contention last weekend. This will be the first meeting between the two sides.

Only two games remain, for the Stars and they would love to have you out to either one. Join us (SaH) on Friday for what should be an entertaining match between Tacoma and Chicago. Hope to see you there!

Friday Feb 24th, 7:35 kick off against the Chicago Mustangs

• 2 for 1 drinks all night at the ShoWare Center
• $16 ticket gets a hat and reserved seat ticket (a $40 value)
• SaH Group Photo at 6:15 PM on the field

A player will join our section after the game, gives his jersey to a lucky fan