REVERE – The New England Future Stars welcomed in its ninth season of play this past Sunday, and with it welcomed its newest franchise as the Blackstone Valley Barons played their inaugural games. The Squirt, Peewee, Bantam and Varsity teams opened at home against the Southeastern Grizzlies, while the franchise’s two girls division teams traveled to the Cronin Skating in Revere.

That start may not have ended with the desired result, but it was a start to build on for the Girls Varsity Barons (0-1-0) as their rally fell just short against the North Shore Stingrays (1-0-0), 2-1.

The Stingrays hit the ice flying on Sunday, showing great speed as they looked to take advantage of the Barons early. Blackstone Valley netminder Cesira Barrett and the Barons D corps, however, stood to the swarming attack to keep the game balanced until late in the frame.

Off a feed from Riley Jordan, North Shore forward Alexandra Johnson found herself in alone on a partial breakaway and converted to give the Stingrays a 1-0 lead at 10:30 of the opening period.

The whistles came out in the second, aiding the Barons in slowing their foe, and the Blackstone Valley special teams came through on both ends. The penalty kill went 2-for-2, while the power play went 1-for-2 in the middle 15 minutes to send the game to the third tied 1-1.

After controlling much of the second, the Barons were charging in the third, but as Barrett did in the first, Stingrays counterpart Victoria Kennedy stood in similar fashion in the third, keeping Blackstone Valley at bay. Also akin to the first was the Stingrays’ offensive production, Johnson once again converting at 10:30 of the period for a one-goal North Shore lead.

This time it was Riley Cote with the set up, wheeling around the net to find Johnson in the slot. Despite being blanketed by multiple defenders, Johnson managed to get off a shot that just managed to slip past Abigail Bassett – who came on in relief of Barrett mid-second – notching the game-winner, 2-1.