The Stratford Hiller Realty Minor PeeWee Warriors played game three of their semi-final series against the Waterloo Wolves Thursday night in Waterloo. It was the Warriors best start to a game in the entire series. Mitch Watt was very sharp in goal making a few key saves and the Warriors were able to produce two goals going up to 2-0 by the end of the first period.
A hungry Waterloo team stepped up their play through the final two frames and Stratford was caught not moving their feet, and stuck with a tough line change in the second period, leaving them exposed on several lengthy shifts. Poor discipline led to several penalties in the frame and Waterloo was able to capitalize on the momentum, drawing even at the end of two periods. The third period was a back and forth with both teams putting everything on the line, Mitch Watt was strong from start to finish giving Stratford ample time to score the game winner, but it was Waterloo who scored the deciding goal with just over 4 minutes to play. An empty netter sealed the victory for the home side, and Stratford returned home with a 4-2 loss, on the verge of elimination, down 2-1 in the best of 5 series. Goal scorers in the game were Josh McNaughton and Sean Chisholm with assists to Zach Otto and Sam Davey. Stratford will play game 4 at home Saturday evening at the Rotary Complex.