Insurance Central Minor PeeWee MD Warriors take 4 of 5 over Busy 10 Days
The Insurance Central Minor PeeWee MD Warriors came through an extremely busy portion of their schedule this week, taking 4 of 5 games over a 10 day span.
First up was West London, who the Warriors visited on November 13th. Stratford’s Peter Williams (Connor Franke) opened the scoring under 2 minutes into the game. His marker was the only score until mid-way through the 3rd period when Michael Cossey (Liam Westman) put the visitors up by 2. A late game marker by West London made for an exciting finish however the defence tightened up in front of net-minder Jeremy Wickenheiser and the Warriors held on for the win.
Next on the agenda, was a Monday evening tilt with the Sarnia Jr. Sting, on November 15th. The previous match between these two teams was a penalty filled affair so the Warrior players were reminded to focus their energies on hockey, particularly playing on the road. Williams (Franke, Cole McKay) again opened the scoring early in the 1st and, despite numerous chances to add to their lead, Williams’ goal was the only marker until after the half-way point of the 3rd period, when Chase Windsor (Anthony Gioia, Jacob Ney) added an insurance marker. Jacob Ford, off of a highlight-reel stick save, gave the team the momentum it needed to score this goal, with his stellar performance resulting in a well-earned shut-out.
Playing their 3rd road game in a row, the team next faced North London on November 17th. After a lackluster 1st period that saw no scoring from either team, the Warriors turned on the heat scoring 4 unanswered goals. Franke (Williams, Liam Westman) opened the scoring under a minute into the period, with Westman, on an unassisted tally, putting the team up by 2 just over 30 seconds later. 2 more goals, just over a minute apart late in the period, the first by Gioia (Nathan Ferguson, Noah Patton) and then Westman’s 2nd of the game (Cossey, Simon Northmore) gave the team a 4 – 0 lead heading into the 3rd.
Despite being down by 4, North London started the 3rd on the power-play and made quick work of their opportunity, pulling to within 3 just over 10 seconds onto the period. Williams (Franke, Ney) re-established the team’s 4-goal lead halfway through the period, with London rounding out the scoring, resulting in the game ending 5-2 in favour of Stratford.
The team took its 3-game winning streak into a match against the previously undefeated Oakridge Aeros on November 21st. The game started out well for the visiting Warriors, with Windsor (Ferguson, Gioia) putting the team ahead 1-0 before the mid-point of the 1st period. A tough break late in the period saw the Aeros tie the game when the puck went in the Warrior goal off one of the Stratford players. Back and forth action in the 2nd resulted in the home team picking up their second goal of the game, heading into the 3rd ahead 2-1. Unlucky breaks were the story of the 3rd for the Warriors, hitting a post, seeing pucks bounce off shin pads and ending on the short end of a 4-1 loss. Adding to the disappointment of the loss, was the loss of Owen Brooks for upwards of 6 weeks with the unluckiest break of all, as he fractured his ankle late in the 3rd period after falling awkwardly after a battle for the puck along the boards.
The final game in this busy stretch was a re-match with the Sarnia Jr. Sting, this time in Stratford. Williams (Franke, McKay) opened the scoring before the mid-point of the 1st period on what was to be a see-saw match throughout. Sarnia tied the game before the period came to a close, with Windsor (Gioia) restoring the lead early in the 2nd. Determined not to go down by 2, the Sting fought back, tying the game just over a minute later. Stratford took its 3rd lead of the game when Franke scored a power-play goal at the mid-point of the period, only to see Sarnia knot the game before the buzzer. Three unanswered Warrior goals – Williams (Franke, McKay), Cossey (Westman), and Cossey (Windsor, Patton) sealed the victory for Stratford.
Throughout the 5 game stretch, goaltenders Wickenheiser and Ford provided solid net-minding, with the defensive pairings of Ney and Sean Dolan, Joel Niezen and Brooks, and, Patton and Steven Tuer continuing to excel.
The Warrior’s next regular season game will be on November 28th when the team travels to play West London.