The Evoke Marketing Tier I Warriors offense exploded with six goals in a decisive victory over the North London Nationals but fell 4-1 to the Oakridge Aeros on the weekend.
On October 15, just over a minute in Owen Chambers demonstrated his speed and skill on an end to end rush before firing a shot far side high over the glove.
With 2:39 left in the first, Chambers lit the lamp for the second time after picking up the puck at the Warriors blueline and weaving through the defenders, he ripped it five hole.
Unfortunately the Nationals cut the lead to 2-1 when they found the net over Reed Bowles blocker.
Early in the second the Nationals tied it up and then took the lead two minutes later flipping one up and over Bowles. Bowles made several great saves as the Nationals pushed for more.
Fortunately the Warriors took advantage of a power play late in the second to tie it up after Cole Hishon found Owen Blain in the neutral zone and he danced around the defenders and backhanded a shot past the netminder.
In the third, Colten Brenzil used his speed to race around the defenders cut to the inside and roof it high far side.
Moments later, Noah Brosens made a huge toe save to preserve the lead. Seconds later, Charlie Holloway used every inch of his skate to break up a rush at the blueline.
Two minutes later with the Warriors killing off a penalty, Chambers was hauled down on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot. He made them pay deking the goalie and then slipping it short side for a 5-3 lead.
With 6:32 remaining Taten Mikel backhanded a sweet pass across to Rylan DeBoeck in the neutral zone and he raced up ice before firing a shot that the goalie got a piece of but Blain was there to pop it in. Casen deGraaf was called for tripping with 5:48 left that the Warriors killed off but then with 2:55 left the Nationals found the back of the net to make it 6-5.
The battle became even more intense after Hishon was called for holding with 2:28 left but some huge defensive play by the Warriors especially Brosens to preserve the win.
On October 16, the Warriors travelled to London to face the Oakridge Aeros and lost 4-1 and came home short yet another player due to injury.
Oakridge took a quick lead three minutes after the Aeros forward was left alone out front and he snapped a shot past Brosens.
A costly pinch at the blueline sent the Aeros away on a breakaway 20 seconds later and they found the back of the net for a 2-0 advantage. Fortunately the Warriors settled down and were able to kill off five separate penalties but were unable to get the calls.
Playing two players short due to injuries, the Warriors lost a third in a nasty collision along the boards late in the second period that wasn't penalized.
Three minutes into the third period the Aeros added to their lead after Reed Bowles made a great save and appeared to have it covered. The officials didn't call it because it wasn't completely covered and the Aeros forward slipped it into the net. Minutes later Bowles made a great glove save just as a penalty ended to keep the Warriors in it.
The Aeros added a fourth midway through the third and then finally late in the third, with just over three minutes remaining Oakridge was called for body checking and soon after Casen deGraaf carried it up ice dished it to Ryan Cassone who found Blain in the corner. Blain curled out front and slid it home to make it a 4-1 final.
The Warriors now sit in third one point back of Sarnia and West London who are tied for first with 10 points.
This weekend will be a huge test as the team travels to London October 22 to face West London and then hosts Sarnia, October 23 at 2 p.m at the Allman Arena.
Submitted by Elaine Pennington