The Holloway Automotive Minor Atom Rep Warriors had an outstanding showing at the International SilverStick in Newmarket this weekend.
In their first pool play game the Warriors took on the York Toros. An early goal off the draw from Carter Petrie, assisted by Colin Schultz put Stratford on the board quickly. Late in the first period Schultz netted one of his own, assisted by Colin Slattery and Dawson White to put Stratford up by two. End to end action throughout the game saw netminder Brenden Sippel tested and answering with blocker saves and a breakaway denial. Late in the third York slide one in but the Warriors were able to hang on for the win.
Early Friday morning the team took on the Gloucester Rangers Green. It was a hard fought match that saw the Warriors trailing by one throughout the game, but they never gave up. The Rangers struck first but Stratford answered back quickly with a goal from Colin Slattery, assisted by Blair Stokes. Aidan Hill saw multiple shots and was able to hold off their snipers to keep the Warriors within reach. Early in the second the Rangers went up to 3-1 but Stratford kept fighting back. Slattery scored his second of the game, assisted by Aaron Green, making it 3-2. Looking to tie the game Lukas Steele grabbed a feed from Slattery and deeked his way through to even it up at 3. The third period was full of excitement with the Rangers netting a shorthanded goal but defensemen Blake Hodgson answered back, walking in with a rocket bar down to tie the game for a second time. With Blair Stokes pulled down on a breakaway opportunity, he was given a penalty shot and came up HUGE top shelf! The Warriors held on to take the win 5-4.
In their third pool play game the Warriors took on the Soo Jr. Greyhounds. Like the “little engine that could” the Warriors continually fought back to stay in the game. The Soo drew first blood, sliding two past Sippel in the first period. With Stratford looking to answer back, they finally did with Petrie cutting the lead in half, assisted by Slattery and Stokes. Early in the third Schultz tied the game at 2 on the power play, assisted by Stokes. The Soo grabbed the lead again on their own power play but Petrie netted his second of the game to tie it 3-3, assisted by Slattery and Stokes.
The final pool play game of the weekend saw the Warriors take on the hometown Newmarket Redmen. Aidan Hill was in charge between the pipes and was solid with numerous saves when tested. Schultz struck first, assisted by Stokes to put Stratford on the board. Slattery followed that with an unassisted goal and Steele got Stratford’s third of the game assisted by Petrie. Newmarket got on the board late in the first but Ryan Ganselves answered back, assisted by Grady Murphy and Stokes making it 4-1. Stokes closed out the period with a goal, assisted by Slattery and Cody Bach. The second period had a bit less action with both teams trading goals. Schultz scored his second of the game unassisted, putting Stratford up 6-2. In the third period Nathan Siebert nabbed two goals, one assisted by Rylan Hall and the other by Lukas Steele. Stratford took the win 8-3.
In the semi-finals on Saturday night the Warriors were in tough against the York Toros. It was a constant battle from end to end. York capitalized on a late penalty in the first period and slide one in past Sippel. The second period was scoreless with both teams pressing hard to the net. York opened the third period with 2 quick goals and the Warriors found themselves digging out of a 3-0 deficit. Petrie finally put the Warriors on the board, assisted by Stokes. York answered right back making it 4-1 and Hill took over in net. Petrie then fed Slattery a pass and he scored a rocket to put Stratford within 2. Moments later, Steele walked in scored a beauty and for a brief moment the Warriors were within one. However, after a controversial call the ref waved off the goal and took the wind out of the Warrior’s sails. York added an empty net goal to finish the game 5-2.
Overall, it was an outstanding showing for the Stratford Warriors and the coaching staff, parents and fans could not be more proud!
Next Action: The Warriors travel to Burlington Tuesday Jan 17 for a mid-week battle.