The Stratford Holloway Automotive Minor Atoms continued
their winning ways as they faced off in semi final playoff action against the
Kitchener Junior Rangers. The Warriors opened the series at home last Wednesday
night with a 6-3 victory. Noah Rusen-Steele had a fantastic game scoring a
hat-trick. Jared LeSouder also had a great game with two goals and an assist. Scotty
Thornton rounded out the scoring with one of his own. Assists also went to
Bryce Lee, Cohen LeSouder, Aly McLeod and Kaden Eybergen. Ryan Bell had a
strong game in net, while Alex Cassone and Riley Mathieson had strong defensive
games.
The Warriors travelled to Kitchener on Friday for game #2. Kitchener came out fast and aggressive, obviously motivated by the home crowd. Despite controlling the play with numerous power play opportunities, Stratford was unable to get shots through to the net and found themselves down 1-0 heading into the third period. Mitchell LaFay eventually broke the goose egg in the third, assisted by Jared LeSouder. On their fifth straight man-advantage, the Warriors found the back of the net again when LeSouder potted the rebound off a Callan Ferguson shot from the point. Noah Rusen-Steele put the icing on the cake, scoring late in the third and thwarting any thoughts of a Kitchener comeback. Hardy Westman was solid in between the pipes. Adam Windsor and Scotty Thornton had strong offensive efforts, while Tyler Pogson and Callan Ferguson played solid defensive games.
The Warriors hosted Kitchener on Sunday in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Facing elimination, Kitchener once again came out strong, scoring the first and only goal of the period. Stratford answered back in the second on a power play goal from Mitch LaFay, assisted by Jared LeSouder and Aly McLeod. Kitchener went ahead by a goal before the end of the second. In the third period, Adam Monteith took matters into his own hands scoring twice in one shift, assisted by linemates LeSouder and LaFay. However, the lead was short lived as Kitchener evened things up within minutes. Tied 3-3 late in the third period, Stratford found themselves killing their only penalty of the contest. While short-handed, Noah Rusen-Steele stripped the Kitchener player of the puck and went on an end to end rush. The home crowd went crazy as Rusen-Steele slid the puck past a sprawling goalie, putting the Warriors up a goal. That was all Stratford would need, as they went on to play smart defensive hockey for the remainder of the game. Kaden Eybergen and Matthew Whittemore played a gritty game, while Cohen LeSouder and Bryce Lee were strong on the back end. Once again Ryan Bell made key saves when called upon, which was the story for both Stratford netminders throughout this series.
The Minor Atoms now wait to see who they will meet in the final series for the Alliance Championship.