The Evoke Marketing Tier I Warriors know they're going to have to play solid team defense this season and bury their chances when they get them after being held to one goal in each of its last three games.
After falling 7-0 to the Sarnia Junior Sting the last time the Warriors were determined to improve. Noah Brosens made several key stops early and the team played tough defense for most of two periods November 19 versus the second place Sarnia Junior Sting and it resulted in a scoreless draw. Sarnia broke through midway through the second with a shorthanded marker but the Warriors responded immediately with Rylan DeBoeck setting up Cole Hishon for a beautiful flip shot up over the netminder.
A minute later Sarnia took the lead after the defenders were unable to clear it and Sarnia slipped it behind Reed Bowles.
Sarnia added two more in the third to earn a 4-1 victory.
On November 20 the Warriors travelled to London to face Oakridge and the teams battled to a 1-1 draw. Bowles got the start and flashed the leather midway through the first to keep it scoreless. He added another late in the frame.
In the dying seconds of the first, Ryan Cassone intercepted in the neutral zone and raced up the right side cut behind the net and used two teammates out front as decoys before tucking in the wrap around.
Oakridge found a way to break through early in the second and then the teams exchanged chances but the game ended 1-1.
On November 26 the Warriors hosted the North London Nationals and came away with a 1-0 win.
Brosens got the start and made several great saves before Bowles took over late in the second. He also made some key stops as the teams battled to a scoreless draw through two periods.
With Cassone away, Charlie Holloway was moved up to wing on the line with DeBoeck and Mark Martin and he played well.
The line of Owen Bridges, Taten Mikel and Cameron Parsons demonstrated their grit and determination throughout and it paid off early in the third. Owen Hunt intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and took off up ice. His shot was stopped but Bridges was there to snap it home for a 1-0 lead.
Oakridge was nabbed for slashing minutes later but the Warriors were unable to convert.
Bowles came up big in the third using the shaft of his stick on one and then making a big blocker save on the rebound. He was also tested late when Holloway was penalized after colliding with two Nationals players.
The Warriors were able to kill it off and hold on for a 1-0 win. The two points moved them into third overall behind West London and Sarnia. Stratford has a 5-6-4 record.
The Warriors are back in action December 3 when they host the Oakridge Aeros at 7 p.m at the RBC arena.
Submitted by Elaine Pennington