Holloway Automotive Minor Atom Reps Bow Out in Semis of Preston Tournament. Written by Dave Graff
Despite a great defensive effort for two days, two shutouts from Tallyn Soper and only three goals allowed in four games, the Holloway Automotive minor atoms bowed out in the semi-finals of the Preston International Hockey Tournament on the weekend.
In the semis the Warriors couldn't defend a nice individual effort by a Grimsby player, allowing the opposition to net the winning goal with a minute and a half to go in a 2-1 Grimsby win. After falling behind 1-0 early in the first period, the Warriors found their legs and early in the second period after Owen Duiker intercepted a clearing attempt, he beat a defender and slide the puck five hole to tie the game. Wingers Zach Carman and Braydon Tinning and defensemen Carter Musselman and Nathan Graff had strong defensive games for the Warriors.
The Warriors finished the round robin with a perfect 3-0 record, the only one of ten teams to do so. In their opener they defeated West London 2-0 after staving off a very determined effort from the opposition. Soper had the shutout and Carter Musselman and Brody Jeffrey scored. Caleb Musselman and Colten Cowen added one assist each.
In game two the Warriors prevailed in a back and forth affair with the London Bandits, winning 2-1. After falling behind early Duiker tied the game in the second period with assists going to Carman and Zach Freeland and than early in the third, Erik Smith netted the winner with helpers going to Caleb and Carter Musselman. Nolan Traynor got the win in goal, shutting the door for the last two and a half periods.
In a battle or 2-0 teams the Warriors put forth what might of been their best effort of the season, beating Fort Erie 4-0 in the round robin finale with Soper recording his second consecutive shutout. After a scoreless first Jeffrey and Caleb Musselman scored in the second period while Freeland and Jack Whitehead, with a blast from the point, added third period markers. Caleb Musselman and Freeland added an assist each along with Carman while Cowen contributed two helpers to the Warrior attack. The defense corps of Graff, Carter Musselman, Whitehead, Joe Tigani, Spencer Eidt and Caelan Trupp all had excellent games for the Warriors while Soper made several difficult stops when called upon.