Congratulations to the Cherrey Bus Lines Minor Bantams who won the Silver Stick 'A' Qualifier tournament in Woodstock this weekend, beating rival St. Thomas in the finals, in the second overtime period.
The tournament began with a nail biter on Saturday morning. At the end of regulation time, the team was tied with Sarnia on goals by Greg Hansford and Maverick Petrie. Near the end of a five minute overtime, Josh Hill scored the winner for the Warriors. The team then sailed to two more victories, beating Woodstock 6 - 2 and Guelph 8 - 0.
The Woodstock game saw three Warriors notch three points each: Petrie, Hansford and Josh Hill each had two goals and an assist. Dillon Ossendryver, Evan Metelski and Liam Kelly earned assists. In the Guelph game, Hansford opened the scoring early in the first, and scored a second later in the game. Hill also scored twice in the game. Petrie scored once and assisted twice. Hood Tidman, Kelly, Metelski, rounded out the scoring with Wade Niezen, Zach Ernest, Brandon Taylor, Owen McLeod, Metelski and Kelly all earning assists in the blowout. Call up Ryan VanDam earned the shutout.
The team then advanced to the semi-finals against the Burlington Eagles. Three quick goals in the first sealed the deal in the 3 - 0 victory for the Warriors. Petrie opened the scoring, on feeds from Kelly and Metelski, both of whom also assisted on the second goal, by Greg Hansford. Petrie scored shorthanded on an assist from Wade Niezen. Wyatt Taylor got the shutout in the victory.
The finals against St. Thomas were very exciting! St. Thomas took the lead in the later part of the first period, on a power play. It wasn't until 3:05 in the third that the Warriors replied. Maverick Petrie scored a power play goal on a feed from Greg Hansford to tie the game. In the first ten minute overtime period, there was no scoring for either team, despite the Warriors having a 40 second two man advantage and also killing off a penalty. In the second overtime period, a weak call left us shorthanded early in the period but the boys killed it successfully. At the 6 minute mark of the fifth period, Petrie fired a rocket over the shoulder of the St. Thomas goalie for the winner.
The team travels to Newmarket in January to compete in the Silver Stick 'A' Championships.