The Esmark Stars U15 AAA Midget team opened the 2019-2020 season in Buffalo, NY, at the Buffalo Sabres Invitational Tournament this past weekend (Aug. 30 - Sept. 1).

The Stars opened the tournament with a tough 2-2 tie on Friday to the Michigan Elite Hockey Club.  The Stars squandered a 2-0 lead late in the third as Michigan found the back of the net with two late goals to secure the tie.

The Stars returned to the ice later on Friday and dropped a 5-3 decision to the Amherst Knights.  Amherst got out of the gate quickly and grabbed a 4-0 lead, before the Stars were able to catch their breath and mount a comeback attempt.

Saturday morning, the 15U Stars grabbed their first win of the young season as they skated past the Buffalo Red Raiders, 3-1.  Later in the evening, the Stars would drop a 2-0 decision to the host Buffalo Jr. Sabres, to complete round-robin play with a 1-2-1 record.

Relegated to the consolation round, the Stars closed the tournament with a 4-1 loss to crosstown rival the Pittsburgh Predators.

With their showing in Buffalo, the U15 Stars overall record stands at 1-3-1-0.

Esmark's U15 squad returns to play Sept. 14-15, at the Pittsburgh Ice Arena in Pittsburgh, as they welcome the Palmyra Black Knights to town to kick-off their home schedule.

The U16 and U18 Stars both begin 2019-2020 action next weekend as the U18s welcome Amherst Knights to Pittsburgh and the U16s head to Indianapolis to face-off against the Indy Jr. Fuel.