Let the Battles Begin!

The dust has settled on Training Camp, and now the 'real' pre-season begins.

The Access 7 Cup was awarded to Team White after an impressive 9-2 victory over Team Black. Kyle Birch was solid for Team White, surrendering no goals through the first 30 minutes of the contest. Some of the other stand-outs for Team White were: Brett Miller, Jacob Chiblow, Shayne Morrissey and Myles Baptiste.

Don't let the final score fool you - Team Black had a TON of chances. The line of Blake Tatchell, Colin Phaneuf and Shay Neufeld looked dangerous throughout the entire game. Shay Neufeld showed some tremendous speed and confidence, Colin Phaneuf showed lots of skill, and Blake Tatchell was well... Blake Tatchell.

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Following the Access 7 Cup, Ken Pearson made some roster cuts, and will now turn his attention to tonight's pre season showdown in Eston against Kindersley.

Tonight's matchup is slated as an "all-rookie" affair between the two clubs. It's always a fun game to watch, because in essence you're watching the team's future.

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Offensively I think the North Stars stack up nicely. Blake Tatchell, Brett Miller, Shay Neufeld, Colin Phaneuf, Josh Daley, Shayne Morrissey, Calder Neufeld and Tanner Schwab are all skilled forwards who will be expected to score lots. Kyle Hall brings lots of speed and grit to the table, and Nathan Tomac, Tony Oak, Boyd Wakelin, Cody Antos and Tim Rollins could also fill some roles very nicely.

Defensively there's lots to feel good about too. Woody Klassen, Cody Folstad, Dominic Perrault and Jacob Chiblow gives the Stars a solid top-four. As for the other slots, Ken Pearson definitely has options.

Earlier I highlighted the play of defenceman Myles Baptiste. He's 20, a right-handed shot, and he's mean! He seems to have decent hands for a big guy, and he plays with a real aggressiveness on the back-end. Baptiste played last year in the M.J.H.L. with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines and tallied eight points in 29 games.

Andrew Peaychew and Zack Wourms are two others who will no doubt receive some consideration as the pre season continues.

Also, don't forget about Kyle Schmidt who is attending WHL camp with the Calgary Hitmen.

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Garrett Montour and Blair Mahon are the two other goalies remaining in camp. Tyler Cockburn was let go on Saturday, and Lukas McDonald was sent home after the Black and White game.

Montour and Mahon will likely split time tonight in Eston.

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Tonight on the Co-Op Leisure Time Sports Fix, I'll be speaking with the longest tenured North Star, Tony Oak. Oak is entering his fourth full season with the club, and has seen some pretty extreme highs and lows during that time.

I've got a number of questions that I'm excited to ask him, and I'll do so tonight at 8:00.

My other confirmed guest is the play-by-play voice of the Estevan Bruins, Blaine Weyland. Together we'll shed some light on the Estevan Bruins, and talk about the expectations for the league's most southern community.

Also, in response to the blog poll - Josh Daley made a nice run on Sunday and received the most votes. Unfortunately for Daley fans, Oak had the most votes when I last checked the blog yesterday so that's why he's my guest this week.

I'm sure if I ask Josh nicely, he'll have no objection to come on the program next Monday?

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Thank you for your readership! Seriously, I was blown away on Saturday when I saw that over 300 people had visited. Never in my wildest dreams could I have predicted how fun and successful this blog would be. Keep reading, keep commenting, and I will happily keep writing.

Enjoy your long-weekend Monday everybody, and good luck to the Star's rookies in Eston tonight.