The Stratford Scotiabank Major PeeWee AA’s opened the League Championships in Brantford on Thursday with a 3-2 loss to the 99ers.
Goaltender Ben Merkel gave his team a chance with early heroics. Tim Clay opened the scoring using aggressive forechecking. Jaren Ball assisted on the marker. Brantford lead 2-1 after two periods but James Wilson scored on a powerplay from Clay and Colton Fountain to knot the game. Brantford then scored on a powerplay and despite heavy pressure with the goalie pulled, Stratford could not tie the game. Joe Yundt had a great game in both ends of the rink.
On Friday night on home ice, a spirited effort by the Bankers lead them to a convincing 4-2 victory. Once again, the powerplay was effective with Clay scoring from Fountain and Dalton Carde. Fountain then scored an even strength marker from Clay and Carde to give Stratford a 2-1 lead after two periods. Riley Walsh scored another powerplay goal within the first minute of the third, however Brantford scored on a powerplay of their own to cut the lead to 3-2 until Carde iced the game with an empty net goal. Andy Brickman had a great defensive game and callup Brodie Hunt showed fearless hustle all game.