The St. Thomas Stars closed out their final pre-season home game on an emotional note, beginning the evening with a moment of silence in memory of James Leitch. James was a dedicated volunteer who poured his heart into the Stars organization, giving countless hours of his time to support the team he loved. He will be deeply missed by the Stars family and the St. Thomas community.
With 320 fans on their feet and the arena united in tribute, the energy quickly shifted to game mode as the Stars prepared to battle their final pre-season home game against the Komoka Kings. The players hit the ice, setting the stage for an electric start to the night.
1st Period:
Ryan Rodney opened the scoring at 7:39, assisted by Logan Jackson.
Ethan Silcox followed with a goal at 14:17, set up by George Matsos and Jackson.
(Ryan Rodney’s Goal)
2nd Period:
The Stars’ defensive structure shined in a penalty-heavy period for the Komoka Kings. Despite no goals from the Stars, they controlled the pace and held firm.
3rd Period:
The final frame belonged to the Stars’ offense:
Reid Crossman struck early at 1:09, assisted by Silcox and Cade Kinnear.
Just two minutes later, Chase Pettipiece netted an unassisted goal at 3:20.
Kinnear added to the tally with help from Crossman and Nathan Slaght at 3:40.
Cole Edmundson lit the lamp twice—first unassisted at 13:48, then at 17:31 with an assist from Matsos.
The third period also saw tempers flare, with multiple roughing and fighting penalties keeping the crowd engaged.
Between the pipes, goaltender Dylan Durno played the full 60 minutes, turning aside 17 of 19 shots for a solid performance.
Looking Ahead
The Stars’ preseason showed sharper execution and stronger chemistry. The team is building speed and confidence, along with strong defense with every shift. It is clear the coaching staff is keeping the players focused, disciplined, and the players are locked in and ready to deliver when the regular season begins. Fans have plenty to be excited about as the regular season approaches.
The home opener is set for Friday, September 19, 2025, with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. against the Port Colborne Sailors. Make sure to grab your flex passes by clicking the tab at the top of our website, and while you’re there, check out our merchandise section so you’re geared up in Stars colors on opening night.
The Stars are always looking for passionate individuals who want to get involved. If you’d like to volunteer your time, please email volunteers.stthomasstars@gmail.com.
We can’t wait to see the galaxy filled—let’s make this season one to remember!
(Andrew Van EVERY Photography)
