The Stratford Warriors Tier III West team, sponsored by Hockey Training Above, celebrated 2016 with a 7-1 victory over the London Bandits, January 2 at the Molson Arena.
Nolan Miller opened the scoring with 4:06 remaining in the first when he split the defence and roofed it high over the shoulder of the netminder. Cameron Parsons was credited with the lone assist. London found the back of the net nine seconds later but the Warriors clamped down on defence and nullified the Bandits' chances. Rylan DeBoeck took a pass from Cole Hishon in the neutral zone and raced up the right side before ringing a beauty off the post and in, short side. The goal gave the Warriors a 2-1 lead with just over three minutes left in the first period. A minute and a half later the defence of Cameron Parsons and Colston Kibedi created a turnover and Miller picked up a pass from Colten Brenzil, turned on the jets to split the defence and backhanded a highlight reel goal in to make it 3-1.
Just over a minute into the second period Harrison Robinet snapped a shot on net and Miller was there to flip it high over the goalie to give the Warriors a 4-1 lead.
Early in the third, Stratford took a 5-1 lead after Mark Martin raced up ice and DeBoeck cut to the net and slipped it five-hole on the London goalie. Midway through the final frame Owen Blain won the draw and Casen deGraaf picked it up and found Ryan Cassone. Cassone cut around the net and expertly slid it past the surprised Bandits net minder to give the Warriors a five goal advantage.
Miller rounded out the scoring with four minutes left when he whipped another backhander past the Bandits' goalie to give the Warriors a 7-1 win.
The game featured great saves by Reed Bowles and Noah Brosens, outstanding defence by Owen Chambers, Owen Bridges, Cameron Parsons, Taten Mikel and Colston Kibedi as well as solid back checking by the forwards. Every forward picked up at least one point in the contest.
The Warriors sit fourth in the Alliance West Division with 19 points. They host the North London Nationals at the Molson Arena, January 9 at 4:30 p.m. and January 10 at the Allman Arena at 2:30 p.m.
Written by Elaine Pennington