A Little Bit of Everything: new offensive lines, great defensive efforts and spectacular saves!
The Evoke Marketing Tier I Warriors came within minutes of two big wins against the London Bandits and Sarnia Junior Sting on the weekend, unfortunately they ended up with a 3-3 tie versus the Bandits and suffered a 4-2 loss to the Junior Sting.
On November 5, the teams battled hard unfortunately the Bandits found the back of the net after flipping a shot high over top of the defenders and in behind Reed Bowles.
Owen Chambers thrilled fans with an end to end rush while killing a penalty but the goaltender made a beautiful glove save. Late in the same penalty kill, after picking up the puck from Owen Blain in the defensive zone, Casen deGraaf weaved through the defenders on a beautiful rush. His shot was stopped but Mark Martin was there to snap in the rebound to knot it up 1-1.
Bowles made a nice glove save moments later and the new 'D' line (they played defence last season) Owen Bridges, Taten Mikel and Cameron Parsons had a glorious chance for the go ahead marker but the Bandits netminder was up to the challenge.
Stratford held an 8-2 shot advantage after the first but the Bandits had numerous chances blocked by the Warriors defencemen Chambers, Colston Kibedi, Owen Hunt, deGraaf, and Charlie Holloway.
The Bandits went ahead 2-1 early in the second. The new look line of Rylan DeBoeck Ryan Cassone and Mark Martin had several chances and so did the line of Owen Blain, Colten Brenzil and Cole Hishon. Noah Brosens came on in relief late in the second and had to make a huge shoulder save to keep the Warriors in it and the period ended 2-1 but with Stratford holding an 11-6 shot advantage.
Forty nine seconds into the third Blain rushed up the right side and then dished to Brenzil at the top of the crease. He was in tight so he roofed it to make it 2-2.
Four minutes later Chambers picked up the puck in the neutral zone weaved around the defenders, and fired over the head of the netminder for a 3-2 lead. Holloway and Hishon picked up assists.
Unfortunately with six and a half minutes the Bandits were able to snap a shot from the top of the circle that made it over top of the defenders and over Brosens. Neither team was able to find the back of the net and the Warriors ran into penalty trouble late and the game ended 3-3. The lines were clicking and were able to generate 18 shots on net. The Bandits fired 10.
After an embarrassing 7-0 loss to Sarnia two weeks ago, the Warriors were looking to redeem themselves at home November 6.
Brosens got the start and as expected Sarnia put pressure on immediately. Every guy was back helping protect the net, in fact the second minute in Brosens was down after making a save and Chambers dove back across the crease to make a stop on a sure goal.
With the Junior Sting hemming the Warriors in, Bridges was called for hooking and then 20 seconds later Kibedi was given a penalty for tripping. Sarnia only needed 10 seconds to make them pay and take a 1-0 lead.
With 2:28 left Blain dished to Kibedi who kept it in at the point and rifled a shot on net. The rebound came to Brenzil at the side of the net and he roofed it to tie it up.
Brosens made another huge save in the dying seconds and the period ended 1-1.
Brosens was in a zone as he made a nice pad stop early in the second as Sarnia kept the pressure on throughout the second peppering him with 11 shots. Bowles took over late in the second and he was tested immediately. He rose to the challenge with a huge glove save on a three-on-one and the second ended 1-1.
Bowles made a great toe save early in the third and seconds later Kibedi used his reach to keep one from crossing the line as Sarnia continued to press.
The Warriors had a few glorious chances but were unable to break through until Brenzil picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and raced past the defenders and fired a beauty short side for a 2-1 lead with just over 10 minutes left. Unfortunately, Kibedi took a penalty for body contact 30 seconds later and Sarnia capitalized as the Warriors were unable to get it out of the zone.
With less than five minutes to go Sarnia flipped a shot high in the air that sailed over Bowles and in. They added an insurance marker with 2:52 left to win 4-2 despite out shooting the Warriors 24-7.
Stratford has a record of four wins five losses and two ties and sits third overall with 10 points.
The Warriors are back in action November 13 when they host the West London Hawks at 4:30 p.m. at the Allman Arena.
Submitted by Elaine Pennington