The Dunnys Source for Sports Atom MD Warriors had a busy
holiday season playing in 10 games total from Dec 19 to Jan 5, including
participating in the Wayne Gretzky International Hockey Tournament in Brantford. Here is the recap:
Warriors 3 - Bandits Black 3
Playing in easily their best game to date, Dunnys Warriors put forth a yeoman like effort against one of the league powerhouses. A slow start had the Warriors down 2-0 after one period, but the tribe regrouped and found their legs in the second. Liam Flanagan got the Warriors on the scoreboard with a great tip off an Ethan Skinner point shot. Ethan Boersma also drew an assist with a nice feed to Skinner. Three minutes later, Jake Bossence picked the corner with a perfect shot off a nice individual effort to pull the Warriors even. Dunnys then took the lead early in the third period when Nick McCabe streaked in, on a well constructed breakout by Matt Trachsel and Sam Gerber, and found the back of the Bandits net. The Warriors defended the lead well, but a costly double minor with under 4 minutes to go put the Warriors in a tough spot. A strong penalty kill ensued, but the Bandits were finally able to solve the outstanding goaltending of Colin Wickenheiser with 40 seconds left leaving the dejected Warriors with only a tie to show for their fantastic efforts. Mitchell Leitch & Corey Van Nes played well on defense while James Koch played a strong game up front.
Warriors 0 - West London 9
A night after a thrilling tie against Bandits Black and playing with a short bench, the battle-tired Warriors couldn't find their legs against West London and were outmatched by the leagues best team
North London 4 - Warriors 2
Playing in their 3rd game in 4 days, Dunny's found themselves down 2-0 early in the second period before coming to life late in the frame. Nick McCabe scored on a feed from Jake Bossence late in the frame to cut the lead to one, but the Nationals responded a minute later to regain their 2 goal lead with 2 periods in the books. London would add another goal midway through the third, but the Warriors capitalized on a powerplay with 3 minutes to go when Ethan Boersma scored from McCabe and Jackson Nickel to pull the Warriors back within 2. An empty net flurry ensued, but the home squad was unable to find the twine and the game ended 4-2 for the visitors.
Warriors 2 - South Huron 7
In a pre-Christmas exhibition tilt, Dunny's Warriors found themselves up against a spirited group in Exeter. The tribe seemed to be dreaming of sugarplum fairies for much of the contest finding themselves down 7-0 early in the third period. The Warriors were able to finally grab control of the play for the final 10 minutes and mount a small comeback, but it was too little, too late for Dunnys and they fell 7-2. Scoring for the Warriors were James Koch from Jake Bossence and Nathan Cardoso and Bossence scoring from Cardoso and Cameron Hahn. Maddox Keller and Owen Akey returned from injury with solid performances.
Hamilton Tigers 5 - Warriors 3 (Gretzky Game 1)
The Warriors came to play and jumped out to 2-0 lead three minutes into the game. But injuries to a number of players left the tribe with a short bench and the Tigers clawed back to take a 5-2 lead after 2 periods. Dunnys finished with a strong third period scoring once and sending a barrage of shots to the Tigers net, but the Hamilton goalie was up to the task and held the Warriors at bay. Goal scorers for the Warriors were Ethan Boersma with two and Sam Gerber. Assists went to Matt Trachsel with two, Liam Flanagan and Nick McCabe. Player of the game for the Warriors was Ethan Boersma
Warriors 1 - Richmond Hill 2 (Gretzky Game 2)
A terrific goaltending battle and hard fought contest between two evenly matched teams. Brock Barclay held the Richmond Hill shooters at bay until midway through the second period when a rebound was pounced on and slipped behind him. Barclay continued to thwart the enemy attack and finally the Warriors were rewarded for their hustle when Nick McCabe broke in alone down the left wing and made no mistake on an unassisted goal with 2 minutes remaining. Unfortunately, the celebration would only last a moment as Richmond Hill answered on the very next shift, scoring with one minute remaining to take back the lead. A ferocious Warriors attack with the goaltender on the bench was turned back by their opponents' defense and the tribe found themselves on the wrong side of a one goal game as the horn sounded. Player of the game for the Warriors was Brock Barclay.
Hamilton Cyclones 4 - Warriors 1 (Gretzky Game 3)
Matched up against the eventual tournament silver medalists, the Warriors played a great game against a very skilled opponent. The Warriors opened the scoring two minutes into the game as Nick McCabe buried a rebound on a nice point shot from Matt Trachsel. The Cyclones answered with 5 minutes remaining in the first to tie the match. Colin Wickenheiser made several big saves and the Warrior's defencemen held the Cyclones shooters at bay for the remainder of the first period and much of the second. A Cyclone penalty late in the second gave the Warriors an opportunity to take control of the game. However, a miscommunication in the tribe's end lead to a shorthanded goal by Hamilton and the Cyclones then went into a defensive shell to protect their lead. Two late goals third period goals by Hamilton sealed the Cyclone victory in what was otherwise a very close game and one of the Warriors best efforts of the season. Colin Wickenheiser was player of the game for Dunnys.
Warriors 1 - Stoney Creek - 8 (Gretzky Game 4)
After back to back thrilling games, the Warriors were pooped and came out flat in their final game of the tournament. Finding themselves down 7-1 after the opening period, the shell-shocked Warriors regained their composure and held their opponents to one goal through the final 2 periods. Scoring for the Warriors was Ethan Boersma from Nathan Cardoso. Player of the game for Dunnys was Matt Trachsel.
Overall, an excellent showing by the Warriors at the Gretzky tournament against some very strong competition. The coaches and parents were very proud of the effort the boys showed all weekend.
Sarnia 8 - Warriors 2
Unfortunately for the Warriors, the scoreboard was not an indication of the performance that Dunnys exhibited in the game. Carrying much of the play to the first place Sting in the first period, the Warriors had several decent scoring chances turned aside by the Sarnia goaltender. The Sting capitalized on a loose puck in front of Straford's net with under a minute to go in the first to take a 1-0 lead. The Warriors again played a flawless second period, spending most of the frame in the Sarnia end, finally evening the score on an unassisted goal on a bullet shot by James Koch with 4 minutes remaining. Colin Wickenheiser turned aside several quality scoring chances in the period. To start the 3rd, a determined Sting centreman took the puck from the opening faceoff, split the Warrior defence and scored to give Sarnia a 2-1 lead 10 seconds into the period. The Warriors would not back down however and once again pulled even on a nifty individual effort from Nick McCabe as he beat two Sarnia defenders then went top shelf on the Sting goalie. Three minutes later Sarnia would retake the lead for good and would not look back. The dejected Warriors squad lost their focus for a few shifts which allowed the Sting to score 6 times in the final 8 minutes to turn what was an outstanding game for two and a half periods into a blowout. Make no mistake though; the Warriors are beginning to put league rivals on notice that they will not be an easy opponent to play against. Corey Van Nes and Jackson Nickel played strong games in the offensive end while Sam Gerber and Ethan Skinner turned in strong games on defense.
Warriors 0 - Mitchell 6
The Warriors were playing this exhibition game with only 10 skaters and 1 goalie. Give credit to a well coached Mitchell squad as they made the most of their opportunities when they had chances. The Warriors had several scoring chances turned aside by the Mitchell netminder. Matt Trachsel and Maddox Keller played well in front of goalie Colin Wickenheiser. Jacob Bossence and Liam Flanagan forechecked relentlessly in the Mitchell zone.