The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey program had three of its teams in action this past Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4 - 6.

Esmark's U18 squad traveled to Cleveland Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 4 & 5, and skated to 5-3 and 6-3 wins.

On Saturday, the Stars skated to a 5-3 win as Liam Varmecky (1G, 2A), Logan Scanlon, Chase Williams, Brody Simko and Shane Kozlina all scored goals.  Kozlina's goal was a shorthanded goal. Liam McClain (2A), Ethan Zupanc (2A), Shane Miller, and Ray Janik added assists. Both Nikita Volski and Sam Boos saw time in goal for the Stars. Volski was credited with the win as he stopped 13 of the 14 shots he faced in goal.

On Sunday, the Stars doubled up the Barons, 6-3.  Brody Simko (2G, 1A), Hunter Fariman (2G), Chase Willaims (1G, 1A) and Ethan Zupanc scored goals. Shane Kozlina (2A), Logan Scanlon, Liam Varmecky, Maddox Rearic and Shane Miller all earned assists. Nikita Volski picked up his second win of the weekend in goal.

The weekend road sweep improves the U18 Stars overall record to (5-1-0-0).

Meanwhile, Esmark's U16 squad also traveled to Cleveland this past Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 4 & 5. They dropped a 5-3 decision on Saturday and skating to a 2-2 tie on Sunday.

On Saturday, the U16 Stars fell 5-3.

On Sunday, the Barons would score a pair of late goals, including a power play goal with their goaltender pulled and only five seconds remaining in regulation, to negate a 2-0 Stars lead in the third period and push the closing game to a 2-2 tie.

The Cleveland road trip leaves the U16 Stars with a (4-1-1-0) overall record on the young '21-'22 season.The U11 Pee Wee Minor AAA Esmark Stars return to action as they traveled to Maryland for the Team Maryland Showcase.

They open play on Saturday, Sept. 4, with a pair of games. First up the Stars dropped an 8-4 decision to the Washington Little Caps. Jack Trupiano (2G, 1A), Xypher Zamias and Caleb Krynicky scored goals. Liam Lehneke (2A) and Beau Ritson added assists. Xavier Haduch suffered the loss in goal.

The Stars rebounded Saturday evening with a 7-2 win, their first of the season, over the Montgomery Blue Devils. Blake Brenckle (2G), Joseph Alsippi (1G, 1A), Jordan Lucca (1G, 1A), Alexander Hatajik, Jack Trupiano and Beau Ritson all scored goals for the Stars, who were an impressive 5 of 8 with the man-advantage. Quinn Mitchell, Xypher Zamaias, Cole Schwartz, Royce Wiegand and Liam Lehneke all added assists. Issac Helsel earned the win in goal, stopping 15 of 17 shots he faced.

On Sunday, Sept. 5, Esmark dropped a second game to the Washington Little Capitals, 4-2. Xypher Zamias and Beau Ritson scored the Stars goals. Joseph Alsippi, Cole Schwartz and Liam Lehneke earned assists. Xavier Haduch suffered the loss in goal.

Sunday evening the Stars lost a high-scoring affair to the Pittsburgh Predators, 7-6. Jack Trupiano scored a three-goal hat trick, Joseph Alsippi added a pair of goals and Jordan Lucca found the back of the net for the Stars. Xypher Zamias (2A), Royce Wiegand (2A), Beau Ritson (2A) and Ryder Martin all earned assists. Both Issac Helsel and Xavier Haduch saw time in goal, with Hadduch suffering the loss in goal despite only allowing one goal on six shots.

The U11s closed the event on Labor Day Monday with a 2-1 win against Showcase host Team Maryland. Blake Brenckle and and Caleb Krynicky scored for the Stars. Jack Trupiano (2A) and Beau Ritson added assists. And Xavier Haduch earned the "W" in goal, stopping 16 of the 17 Team Maryland shots he faced.

The (2-3-0-0) showing at the Team Maryland Showcase, leaves the 11U Stars with a (2-5-0-0) record on the young season.

The Stars U12, U13 and U14 teams enjoyed the holiday weekend off.