The Esmark Stars U16 and U18 Midget teams returned to the ice from their respective holiday breaks this past weekend (Jan. 5 - 6), as they traveled to Detroit, MI to kick-off the 2019 portion of their 2018-19 season.

The U16 Stars received a rude awakening on Saturday as they dropped a one-sided 10-0 decision to the nation's #3 U16 squad, the Oakland Grizzlies.

"If your in this game long enough it happens," said U16 head coach Yuri Krivokhija.  "We were rusty from the break and the Grizzlies are an outstanding team. That made for a bad combination for us and we got or butts kicked"

The Stars rebounded on Sunday, but dropped a tough 3-2 decision to the nation's #1 U16 squad Little Caesar's by a 3-2 score.

"Much better effort by our guys," Krivokhija offered. "The boy's responded well to a difficult challenge, given the results on Saturday, and I was proud of our effort against the nation's number one team." 

The losses dropped the U16 Stars overall record to 19-14-2-2. They will return to action Jan. 19-21, 2019, in Troy, MI, for NAPHL Showcase IV.

Meanwhile, the U18 Stars also paid a visit to Detroit where they faced the U18 AAA Little Caesars squad on Saturday.  The Stars picked up the win, skating to a 5-3 victory.

The win ups the Stars overall record to 29-12-2-2. The U18 Stars will return to action Jan. 19-21, 2019, in Troy, MI, for NAPHL Showcase IV.

"This was a great way for us to kick-off 2019 ," said U18 head coach Dave Kosick.  "Traveling to Detroit and Little Caesar's home rink to open 2019 presented difficult challenges which the guys embraced."

The U15 Stars enjoyed the weekend off. They will return to action this weekend, Jan 11-13, 2019, at the Legacy Mid-Winter Classic in Detroit.  The U15 Stars, who will bring a 19-9-2-3 record into the tournament.