The Esmark Stars 15U AAA Midget team returned to the ice this past weekend, Feb. 8 & 9, as they made the short two-hour journey to Cleveland, OH, to face the U15 AAA Cleveland Barons in a two-game set.

On Saturday, the Stars and Barons would skate to an overtime tie. Esmark jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead, but the Barons would respond with a pair of goals in the second period to knot the score. After that both goaltenders were up to the challenge and the teams skated through a scoreless third period and five minute overtime as the game ended in a 2-2 tie. Derek Pietrzyk and Tristan Lloyd scored for the Stars. Logan Scanlon, Chase Williams and Sebastian Vogt collected assists. Paul Potosnak turned aside 37 of 39 shots he faced through regulation and overtime to earn the tie in goal.

On Sunday, the Stars would grab a 2-0 shutout win to close the weekend and season series between the Mid-Am District rivals. Kobe Rickabaugh would score the game-winning goal as he found the back of the net in the second period. Logan Scanlon would add an insurance goal for the Stars on the power play in the third period. Ben Guenther (2A), Liam McClain and Derek Pietrzyk earned assists. Fedor Tabako turned aside all 30 Barons shots he faced to get the win and shutout in goal.

The weekend results improved the 15U Stars overall record to (22-20-3-2).

Both the 16U and 18U teams were off this past weekend.

All three Esmark Midget teams return to the ice this upcoming weekend, Feb. 14 - 17, in Troy, MI, at the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) Dixon Cup Playoffs.