Written by Dave Graff. The SMHA
Scotiabank Major Peewee Rep team played Brantford
twice this week in Alliance Bristol semi-final action and after a tough OT loss
in game 3 which gave Brantford their first win of the series, the Warriors rebounded
with a total team effort on Thursday night winning 1-0 and clinching a berth in
the Alliance final winning the series six points to two.
Wednesday in Brantford the continued stellar goaltending of Tallyn Soper kept the Warriors in this game and allowed Carter Musselman to tie the game at 2-2 with just a minute to go sending this game to overtime. However, two minutes into overtime the 99ers buried the winner and sent the series back to Stratford for game four. Jack Whitehead and Caleb Musselman assisted on the power play tying goal while Braydon Tinning added a power play goal of his own earlier in the third period from Caleb Musselman and Erik Smith. Stratford was outshot for the first time in two months 23-17.
Thursday in game four the Warrirors played what may have been their best defensive game of the season allowing only two first period shots and one third period shot in the 1-0 win. Soper was busy in the second period with many of his nine saves being of the tough variety before the Warriors were able to capitalize on the power play later in the second period. Nathan Graff started the scoring play from the left point feeding Carter Musselman down low on the side boards. Musselman muscled his way toward the net and after his shot was stopped Smith buried the rebound for the eventual series winning goal. The shutout for Soper was just deserved for his continued strong play in helping the Warriors continue their torrid place, not losing in regulation time since January 23rd. The Warriors will now face the London Mustangs in the Alliance final with a berth in the Ontario Hockey Federation Championship on the line.