Stars hold on for 4-3 win
The Squirt Stars built a three-goal lead before withstanding a furious

third period Ranger rally, to hold on for a 4-3 victory on Sunday.

The Stars' Ben Battaglia opened the scoring in the first period, beating Ranger goalie Nicholas Molnar with a backhander on a breakaway, assisted by Ben Warda.

Warda scored his own goal 96 seconds later, snapping a wrist shot home from high in the slot area.

Defenseman Justin Bystrak made it 3-0 Stars, accepting a pinpoint pass from Jimmy Kirkpatrick and beating Molnar high to the stick side.

Jason Ramondi, assisted by Jake Fuzak, got the Rangers on the board before Kirkpatrick answered for the Stars by stuffing in a Steven Zaprowski rebound that rattled off the goal post.

Molnar's sparkling saves kept the Rangers close until Alex Touma and Bradley Hejmanowski pounded home third period goals to bring them within one.

The game ended with the Rangers furiously trying to tie after pulling their goalie for the extra attacker, as Star goalie Neal Greiner turned into a stone wall.

The Stars defensive effort was led by Bystrak, Daniel Bounds, Heather Casselman and Christian Aichinger.

Constant offensive pressure was applied by the Stars Christian Cretella, Samantha Degen, Jonah Held, Craig McCabe and AJ Aquilino.

Excellent defensive efforts were contributed by the Rangers' Raimondi, Michael Battaglia and Tim Fremming.