When the lights go down...

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Stars hockey team led by lead-scorer Spears Kozak and Kathy Yarrow. Spears is a rising young hockey player who has the stuff to make it to the NHL one day. Kathy just moved to town from the big city and she plays hockey. She tries out for the team and made goalie. She meets Spears Kozak and the rest of the guys. They are all supportive of her playing on their team. This is one time where the guys on the "boys team" really don't mind having a girl on their team.

Kudos to the All Stars team!

 

In the movie, there are two hockey games that are shown. The first game, Kathy starts as their goalie and she saves many pucks from their opponent. Spears hits the net and they win the game. However, the second game was different. In the locker room before the second game, Spears and Kathy are always early. She grabs a towel and sees Spears getting ready. She is about to leave when she decides to turn around and asks Spears a question. Kathy says; "What's with you? Why do you treat me like I'm from Mars?"  Spears looks at her and says, "What do you mean? He goes on to say, I don't believe this. You're Fine. You're Great. Okay. Kathy looks at Spears and says, "thanks". So the second game is underway.

 

Here's what happened...One of the guys on the opposing team, called Forrester kept harassing Kathy. He pushed her and knocks her to the ice, she turns around and knocks him to the ice. At the same time, Spears Kozak is on the bench resting, he sees what is happening to Kathy. He gets mad and runs onto the ice and over to defend Kathy. He tackles Forrester onto the ice once more. They start fighting and shoving each other around until the referrees break up the fight. All three get kicked out of the game. Kathy and Spears skate off the ice and she says, "don't do me any favors". In the locker room, Spears's dad gives him a 5 minute lecture about hockey and how not to turn out like Brad. Spears feels really bad about the whole thing, he's never been kicked out of a game before. He and Kathy are on the sidelines watching the game, the score is 4-2. But you know what? That jerk Forrester deserved it. LOL.

 

Meanwhile, Spears and Kathy go to a warehouse where the boats are kept and he tells her about his brother Brad Kozak. Brad plays for a junior hockey team because he gets into too much trouble, so the NHL does not want to sign him. He is great on the ice but is considered a "troublemaker" off the ice. He gets into fights and punches people, he is on the road playing for the junior league.

 

Kathy and Spears have a heartfelt talk in the warehouse. Spears asks her why she wants to play hockey? She says, "because I like it". She asks him why he wants to play hockey? He says, "I'm supposed to be in the NHL by the time I'm 17". The reason why Brad had to leave town was because he took a rich man's boat for a joy ride one afternoon and when he came back he hit his dad. The week after Brad split town. They talk and went to the 3 Stars (local hangout) and ate dinner. They leave the diner and say goodnight. Spears went one direction and Kathy went the other direction. Of course, Spears calls out her name, Yarrow and runs back towards Kathy to walk her home.

 

A few days later, Spears and his dad have a talk. His dad tells Spears that Mr. Bill Moss (the sponser of the team) has invited a couple of Hockey Scouts to the North Bay Game to see Spears in action on the ice. Mr. Moss liked what he saw during the first game when he scored the winning goal. Good news for Spears. He and Kathy walk to practice together and he tells her what his dad told him. They are in good spirits until they get to practice where the coach tells Kathy and Spears learns from his teammates that Kathy has been cut from the team.

 

He runs into the locker room to comfort Kathy but she does not want to talk to him right then. She packs her things and leaves, Spears is sad for Kathy and trying to figure out what to do. Later, the guys meet at 3 Stars local hangout and are talking about going on strike. If going on strike does not work, then the guys plan to forfeit the game. Spears is listening but still confused about what to do. He can not afford to forfeit the game against North Bay because of Kathy. His dad is counting on him and he wants the hockey scouts to see him play. This would be an opportunity of a lifetime for Spears Kozak. But is it fair to want to make his dreams come true when Kathy has done nothing wrong except for being a girl who happens to be fantastic hockey goalie? The other guys on the team look up to Spears for leadership. He tells them he cannot forfeit the game so they decide not to go on strike. The next scene, Spears is at the ice rink practicing his shots. His friend waits for him to finish and they talk. His friend tells him, "I don't get you Spears. You are suppose to stand up for her but you didn't. The other guys would have listened to you. I thought you were Kathy's friend. Friends stick up for each other." And he walks off, Spears goes back to the ice and practices some more but he is angry and frustrated with himself for letting Kathy down.

 

So the big game against North Bay is about to get underway. But Spears so far is a no-show. He is sitting by himself at a nearby hill overlooking the water and thinking about going on strike and hoping it will work. He knows what he has to do and runs to Kathy's house. Kathy is surprised to see him, and says; "he is going to be late for the game. Spears says;" I know and if you don't hurry I'm not going to make it to the game. Come on."

 

So they are running to the rink, Spears is carrying her red bulky hockey bag. They are running across town to get to the community center before it's too late. It's a good thing they run fast. They get to the ice rink and Kathy tells Spears, "there's nothing you can do."  They run into the rink full of people, the game is underway. Spears jumps and shouts loudly so his teammates can hear him. He says; What's the magic word? Answer is desire. And who are we? Answer is We're number 1. The guys on the ice and Spears keep chanting over and over "We're number 1. The North Bay team is bemused and want to play hockey. Mr. Bill Moss talks to the coach and tells him to put Kathy in the game. At the same time, Kathy realizes what Spears is willing to do for her, she walks off. Spears says Kathy leaving and runs after her. Kathy tells Spears, "don't blow this chance, not for me. Go get on the ice. She reminds Spears what he told her before; "You're supposed to be in the NHL by the time you're 17 remember? Spears says; "I know". Then the coach comes over and throws Kathy's hockey jersey at her and tells her she can change in the wash room. She looks at Spears and then she smiles. She goes to change for the game, Spears is smiling and pumps his fist. They won, Kathy is back on the team where she belongs. Spears goes to change for the game and guess who win the championship after all?  Of course, they don't show the actual hockey game but the do show the locker room and the hockey trophy. Spears holds the trophy up high and hands it to Kathy to hold. They celebrate in the locker room eating pizza and looking at the trophy. They beat North Bay and are true champions!

 

The moral of this movie is simple. Always stand up for what you believe is right!Always stand up for your friend! To be there for your friend when he/she needs a helping hand or just someone to listen, to know that someone actually cares about them. They are true champions because they are true to themselves!

Kathy and Spears play by their own rules, they don't pretend to be someone their are not. It's who they are, not how they play the game that matters when all is said and done!

 

 

On the other hand, Mr. Bill Moss at first wanted Kathy on the team because she is a good goalie. But then the other parents and small minded people told Mr. Bill Moss, "they don't want a girl on the team". So Mr. Bill Moss caves in to pressure and then makes the coach cut Kathy from the team or else Mr. Bill Moss who not sponsor the All Stars anymore. The coach did not want to cut Kathy but had no choice if he wanted to continue coaching hockey and also play against North Bay. But it all worked out in the end. Kathy is back with the team, Spears will most likely by drafted by the time he is 17.

So Spear's dad did not want Spears to go down the same path (make the same mistakes) like Brad did. He wanted Spears to make it to the NHL and be drafted by Boston Bruins, Detroit Redwings, Washington Capitals, New York Islanders or some other pro hockey team.

 

All in all, this was a great movie. The cast was unfamilar to me except for Yannick who portrays Spears Kozak and the coach who is played by Rick Moranis. I give this movie a rating of 4 stars. A very young Yannick Bisson, well on his way to becoming a big star.

 

Next time, I will review "The Day Reagan Was Shot". Until then, thanks for visiting. Check back soon.