It was a tough afternoon for the Norman Northstars who lost to the Southwest Cougars by a score of 5 to 2. That combined with Eastman's 5 to 2 win over Parkland will give the Selects the 8th and final playoff spot.

 

This doesn't take away from Norman having one of their best seasons in recent memory. It has been over 10 years since Norman made the playoffs and the first time in many years that they finished in double figures in wins.

 

Norman finishes the regular season at 19-23-1-3-1 and miss the post season by a single point. Isaac Tomchak from Wanless had one of the two goals yesterday and he finished third in  Northstars in scoring with 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points.

 

Justin Valentino was also awarded the Manitoba U-18 Coach Of The Year for drastically turning this program around in just one season.

 

Hopefully this wasn't the last game in Norman Northstars history as it has been rumoured that the Manitoba Midget U-18 League  was looking to contract them and Kenora out of the league starting next year.

 

There has been no official confirmation by the league,  but Thompson Mayor Colleen Smook has been rallying for support from sporting  groups, various organizations  and political figures to help keep the team in Thompson.

 

This is the only U-18 team in Northern Manitoba and if the league contracts them that means that all the kids from the entire  Norman Region will have to head south to look for spots to play.