The Hishons Custom Tier 1 Warriors
played 2 games this past weekend taking 3 of a possible 4 points from the
leagues top two teams. They are currently tied for second place in the round
robin playoff with a win a tie and a loss.
On Sunday they played the London Nationals. The Warriors came out in top form scoring 2 goals and not allowing a single shot on net in the first period. Daniel Van Straaten and Tyson Talsma got the goals with assists going to Wesley Duiker and Van Straaten. The teams were back and forth through the second period with neither team able to score. At the start of the 3rd period Van Straaten scored his second with assist from Kaden Brame. Then at the 12 minute mark Jonas Schmidt scored assisted by Van Straaten.
At the 8 minute mark a desperate Nationals team began to come back scoring 4 goals in 6 minutes to tie the game at 4. Although, shocked at the sudden turn around the Warriors regrouped, closed down the front of the net and held on for the tie.
Warriors pile on to keep the puck out of the net.
Thomas Sheldon guards the front of the net as goalie James Hopper keeps a careful eye on the play in the corner.
On Saturday the warriors defeated the London Hawks 3-2. The Hawks finished the regular season in first place with the leagues best offense scoring 5.4 goals per game. The Warriors had never beaten or tied them.
The game started on a poor note with the Hawks scoring on their first shot on net with 7:42 remaining in the first period. The Warriors managed to hang on and began to show some life in the second period when Daniel Van Straaten ripped a shot past the Hawk goalie at the 8 minute mark. The Hawks stormed back and retook the lead less than a minute later. The game really opened up through the rest of the period with multiple opportunities at both ends. Neither team was able to score.
In the third period the Warriors began to apply some pressure and after several close calls Cole Meadows finally found the back of the net at the 8 minute mark to tie the score at 2. The powerful Hawks' offense really began to roll getting shot after shot, but Stratford's defense refused to give up the slot and goalie James Hopper was up to the task. With 3 minutes and 23 seconds remaining and Stratford on their only power play, defenseman Sam Jeffery picked up a lose puck at the London blue line walked in and beat the goalie to take the lead. A clearly frustrated London team pulled their goalie and poured it on but were turned aside.
Warriors celebrate after Cole Meadows' goal.
Jonas Schmidt powers past a falling Hawk.
Daniel Van Straaten gets ready to shoot.