REVERE – There is still plenty of hockey to be played in the 2015 New England Future Stars season, but it has been a good start to their existence for the Girls Varsity Natick Chill (3-0-0). It has been three up and three down to start their inaugural campaign after topping the North Shore Stingrays (1-2-0), 5-2, to end their Showcase Weekend last Sunday at the Cronin Skating Rink in Revere.

Looking to make up for a shutout loss to the South Shore Sabercats the day before, the Stingrays came out quick and grabbed the game’s first lead, Riley Cote scoring at 3:06 of the opening period. The Chill, however, began to tip the scales in their favor as the period went on and eventually drew back to even, 1-1, Maria McDonagh scoring the first of two on the day at 6:02.

Natick was the better team through the game’s first 15 minutes, but the score remained tied heading into the second, where it was the Stingray’s turn to control play. Though seemingly outplayed, the Chill proved why they are the team currently sitting atop the division’s standing as they left the game’s middle period boasting a two-goal lead following tallies from McDonagh and Anna Rausch, as well as solid goaltending from Alyssa Cimino, whose play proved to be a big factor in the victory.

The Stingrays still made a push early in the third period to get back in the contest. The Kennedy sisters did the leg work to start the rally, Julianna coming up with the goal at 3:47 to make it 3-2 and Victoria providing some fine goaltending of her own with a 2-on-0 stop near the five minute mark to keep the Stingrays within one. That is, however, as close as North Shore ever came to reclaiming their lead.

Sarah Zeidan restored Natick’s two-goal advantage with her score at 5:50. With the goaltender pulled and a late Chill penalty, North Shore made one last attempt in the game’s closing minutes, but Cimino and the Natick defense help through the 6-on-4. An empty net goal by Sophie Burr closed things out and brought the score to its 5-2 final.