The Esmark Stars AAA Hockey program welcomed the cool Fall winds of November as the U12, U13, U16 and U18 teams all saw action this past weekend, Nov. 6 & 7.

The Stars U18 Midget Major team swept a weekend series (6-4 and 4-3) over the nation's #6 ranked (www.myhockeyrankings.com) Ohio AAA Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Ice Arena.

On Saturday, Hunter Fairmain (2G), Chase Williams (2G) and Ethan Zupanc (2G) each found the back of the net twice for the Stars in the 6-4 win. Fairmain and Zupanc each scored one of their goals while the Stars were shorthanded, as the Stars shut down the Blue Jackets high octane power play holding them scoreless on seven man-advantage opportunities. Liam McClain (2A), Justin Mettrick (2A), Liam Varmecky (2A), Keith Smilowitz (2A), Cole Mitchell, Shane Miller and Brody Simko all added assists. Sam Boos was the winning goaltender, stopping 30 of the 34 shots he faced in goal.

The two midget major squads closed the weekend series with the Stars grabbing a hard fought 4-3 win, as they scored twice in the third period to grab the victory. Keith Smilowitz (2G), Liam McClain and Shane Kozlina scored goals for the Stars. Logan Scanlon, Justin Mettrick, Hunter Fairmain, Shane Miller, Chase Williams, Ethan Zupanc and Brody Simko picked up assists. Nikita Volski was the winning goaltender, stopping 35 of the 38 shots he faced in goal.

The home sweep of the Blue Jackets improves Esmark's U18 Midget Major squad's record to (14-3-2-1).

Meanwhile, the Stars U16 squad traveled north to Buffalo for a weekend showcase at the Cornerstone Arena in Lockport, NY.  The Stars opened the three-game showcase on Saturday dropping a hard fought 4-3 decision to the nations # 16 ranked North Jersey Avalanche. Ian Amaranto suffered the loss in goal for Esmark.

Later Saturday afternoon, the Stars were shutout, 6-0, by the nation's #14 ranked Buffalo Jr Sabres. Owen Byers suffered the loss in goal for the Stars.

The Stars closed the Showcase on Sunday, dropping a 9-3 decision to the nation's #6 ranked Bishop Kearney, as Bishop Kearney blew open a 5-3 lead going into the third period. Ian Amaranto suffered the loss in goal..

The Stars U16 overall record drops to (15-4-1-2) following the Buffalo showcase.

The Stars U13 Bantam Minor squad also headed to the greater Buffalo area for four games this past weekend.

On Saturday, the Stars opened the weekend with a 5-2 win over the Rochester Americans at the Brockport Ice Arena in Brockport, NY. Chase Irwin (2G), Christopher Moran (1G, 1A), Matthew Lestitian and Alex Patsilevas scored for Esmark. Chase Secriskey (2A), Sean Goodman (2A) and Cain Phillip picked up assists. Jackson Johnson was the winning goaltender, stopping 35 of the 37 shots he faced in goal.

In the second game on Saturday, the Stars dropped a 4-2 decision to the Americans back at the Brockport Ice Arena. Cain Phillip and Ryan Crouse scored the Esmark goals. Gavin Grant and Gus Coffield picked up assists. Corbin Holt suffered the loss in goal.

On Sunday the Stars traveled on to Rochester, NY, and would drop a pair of decisions, 3-0 and 3-2, to the Rochester Coalition.

In the first game, at the Paul Lewis Arena in Rochester, the Coalition would grab a 3-0 shut-out win. Jackson Johnson would suffer the loss in goal.

In the closing game of the Buffalo trip, at the Lakeshore Arena in Rochester, the Stars 13U squad would drop a 3-2 decision to the Coalition. Irwin and Crouse scored the Esmark goals. Chase Secriskey, Alex Patsilevas and Hunter Spicher earned assists. Corbin Holt suffered the loss in goal.

The weekend in Buffalo leaves the Stars U13 Bantam Minor squad with an overall record of (11-16-0-0).

The U12 Esmark Stars were in action as the Pittsburgh Ice Arena as they welcomed both Michigan-based Victory Honda and Team Maryland to western PA for a pair of games against each club.

On Saturday, the Pee Wee Major Stars dropped the opening game 3-2 and tied the second game 3-3 against Victory Honda.

In the opener, Jacob DeWitt scored both Esmark goals. Cullen Carlson (2A) and Jack Koerbel picked up assists. Jacob Johnson suffered the loss in goal.

In the 3-3 tie with Victory Honda, Chris Sargo (1G, 1A), Maxsim Popienko and Cullen Carlson scored for Esmark. Brody Pablic, Keita Komatsu and Brody Boban picked up assists. Ben Wilson earned the tie in goal, stopping 24 of the 27 shots he faced.

Then on Sunday, the Stars split a double-header with Team Maryland, winning 1-0 and losing 4-0.

In the 1-0 shutout win, Maxsim Popienko scored the game's lone goal, on the power play, in the third period with assists to Brody Pablic and Keita Komatsu. Jacob Johnson stopped all 40 Team Maryland shots he faced to earn the shutout and win in goal.

In the nightcap, Team Maryland flipped the results and grabbed a 4-0 shutout win, scoring 2 goals on their 9 power play chances. Ben Wilson suffered the loss in goal despited turning aside 45 of the 49 shots he faced.

The four-game home stand leaves the Stars U12 Pee Wee Major squad with an overall record of (8-16-4-0).

Both the Stars U14 and U11 team enjoyed a weekend off.