The Stratford Holloway Automotive Minor Atom rep team continued Alliance Constellation 'AA' action this past weekend with an away game vs the Woodstock Navy Vets and a home match-up against the St. Thomas Jr. Stars.
On Saturday in Woodstock, goals were difficult to come by for either team with both the Navy Vets goalie and Warriors goalie Noah Campbell turning in solid efforts. In what turned out to be a penalty-free game for both teams, it was a very well played 'clean' hockey game. The Navy Vets struck first in the second period and led 1-0 after two. In the third, the Warriors knotted the game at 1-1 with a strong offensive effort along the boards and in front of the net. Woodstock answered with the game winner with 4 minutes to play and held on for a well earned home-ice victory.
On Sunday, a very strong first period was all the Warriors needed to defeat the visitors from St. Thomas. Leading 4-0 after the first, the Warriors held on for a 4-1 final despite both teams having opportunities to score. Goalie Liam Parsons played another strong game in net for the Warriors for the win.
Defensemen Luke Zorgdrager and Colton Gibson turned in very strong efforts over the weekend and the forward line of Jonas Schmidt, Ethan Martin, and Jared Gould put forward a strong forecheck that allowed them to contribute offensively over the weekend. Wes Duiker skated well in both games as well, helping to generate several good scoring chances for himself and his linemates.
Overall, the team has turned in several quality defensive efforts recently, with forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders all contributing to the success. In the past four games, the Warriors are averaging only 2.25 goals against per game, allowing only 1 goal against in each game this weekend, and frustrating opposition players with relentless pursuit of the puck all over the ice.