This past weekend we went on a very important three game road trip down south.  The weekend went great taking two points from both the Thrashers and Interlake but dropping one game to the Wild.  The Winnipeg Wild are known as the top team in the league but we have proven that when we play our disciplined, hard working game there is no one in this league we cannot beat and the key is to bring that game every night.  Both goalies got some playing time this weekend and both stepped up and had big effects on our games, turning the momentum around one save at a time.  Saturday, we had an afternoon game which managed to give us enough time to head out to watch some AHL action in the MTS center.  The game gave us a chance to study professionals playing our positions in a flawless manor.  The game went the distance ending with the Manitoba Moose winning on home ice in a shoot out.
     We welcomed a new member to our team last week who joined us on the weekend. Phillip Verreault got to witness all the great things about our team and we are hoping he will be the last piece of our puzzle.  With the weekend over we’re preparing for a big double header against the Parkland Rangers on our home ice.  It’s time to step it up and accept nothing but two big wins this weekend.  Also I would like to thank my mother and my billet parents, Claude and Colette Hykawy, for finishing the painting in our room, it looks unreal.

Keep closing that gap,
Kane McKee 2

     Well, this past weekend I thought was a pretty fair weekend.  Coming out with two wins out of three is acceptable.
     Our first game against the Thrashers we came out strong, beating them 7-4.  It's been awhile since the Northstars beat a Winnipeg Thrashers team so that’s something to be proud of boys.  Saturday’s game against the Wild on the other hand was pretty much good until the third period.  We played really well for the first two, and then the third we had a meltdown.  We have to stay consistent.  Sunday’s game against Interlake was also a positive.  We came out flying, we were all over them.  Meeshka played unreal once again, keeping us in the game and making some great saves.
     But boys, I know it’s been tough but here’s where it all starts up again for us.  We know we could beat the best when we’re playing our best.  We all know what to do already so we just have to do it.  In order to succeed, we have to believe we can.  If we just go through the motions, we'll never make that championship.  But if we come out, every single game, giving it our all, I know we will win.  You have to be able to look in any of the boys eyes and know you did everything you could not to let them down.  We have to show up each and every game if we want those 22 wins.
     Now with Parkland coming in, it's up to us respond.  We're expecting nothing less than 4 points.  Let's start our winning ways back up boys.

Yours truly,
Ryan Delorme #31

    This weekend we fell short to the Brandon Wheat Kings, but were able to make some big improvements from the first game to the second.  Friday, penalties haunted us, with Brandon scoring 5 power play goals.  Saturday, however, our team showed a lot of character by rebounding to play a better all-around game.  Our defensemen are improving every game and really showed that this weekend, playing solid on Saturday night.  Mitchell got the start Saturday night, and with only his second game under his belt, proved he can play at the AAA level by stopping many shots and making some very difficult saves to keep us in the game.  With a little bit more discipline and less penalties we will get back on track this weekend and take 4 points from the Yellowhead Chiefs.

     On a lighter note, we decided to have a team pumpkin carving competition last Thursday.  Each captain picked their team, and then the pumpkins were judged with 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th being awarded. My team and I managed to carve one of the ugliest pumpkins I have ever seen and took last place honors.  We plan to make up for this poor performance in our next competition.

     Lastly, I would like to give a special thanks to Mike Gagne, who came with us on our recent 4 game road trip and helped out greatly (as always).  Your hard work and dedication to this organization will never be forgotten and we wish you the best of luck in the future.

Keep your stick on the ice.

Brett Ferguson #8

     Off to a great start beating the undefeated Winnipeg Wild.  We, the Norman Northstars, have sent a message to the league proving we can compete against and be the best.  For us to be able to continue sending the message we must continue playing with discipline and a high intensity energy level.  Another key factor for us is consistency, the more consistent we are the more success the team and individuals will have.  It seems as if we lost our composure as the weekend went on, going from a promising 2-0 start to a disappointing 0-2, to end the weekend with a split record of 2-2.
     
     As we get prepared to take on the Brandon Wheat Kings we will accept nothing but 2 wins this weekend, and take back third place overall.
     
     I would like to thank Colleen and Kent McKee for painting the Northstar logo in our new dressing room.  It looks great!  Thank you, the team really appreciates it.
     
     As soon as Jerry Valentino learns how to turn on a computer, he will be able to update us, the fans, sponsors, and volunteers about his new “5 Star Hot Dog Review”. We as a team can't wait.
Another disappointment this weekend for the team was the postponing of the Old Dutch Chip factory tour. We look forward to Chip and Dip rescheduling it in the near future.

 Justin Valentino 16

      First of all I would like to thank Colette Hykawy for keeping this website up to date and maintained daily which all the players, fans, and spectators greatly appreciate, and for all the team functions and team bonding held in their household.  Like last night, for instance, we watched a movie as a team and I looked around and noticed that there aren't any little cliques or groups like last year’s team.  This makes me proud as a captain because it shows that the little things can change the way a season starts.  Being 3-4 isn't satisfying but it’s a better start than the past two years I've played, which will benefit us towards the end of the season.
  
     Our upcoming four game road trip will be the biggest test of the season so far.  The team isn't going on this road trip to just come back with 4 maybe 6 points.  We’re leaving Wednesday night and planning on coming back Sunday afternoon with a message to the league saying we’re going to be contenders to everyone. Without doubt in the dressing room we will come out to every game hitting hard and not accepting anything but a win.

      Attitudes and work ethics are the only way we will accomplish this and with this year’s group of guys I can already see everyone buying into the AAA level of dedication needed.  
 
You stay classy,

Quentin Holmes 21