The Stratford Canadian Tire Major Bantam Warriors closed out the 2016/17 Alliance Bristol Division regular season Saturday night, manhandling the visiting Burlington Bulldogs 9-0 at the RBC Arena in Stratford.
Stratford finishes tied for first in the Bristol Division, with a sparkling 12 win, 2 loss and 2 tie record, but due to one of those losses being against the London Mustangs White, the team they are tied for first with, must settle for the second place seeding. The overall season record for Stratford, before teams were split in November to A and AA, is a very respectable 19-7-4.
Josiah Kraayenbrink had a goal and three assists, Kayden Schooley three goals and an assist, and Callan Ferguson three assists to lead things offensively for Stratford. Other point getters for the hometown squad was Adam Windsor with two goals, Jared LeSouder and Noah Rusen Steele each with two assists, and Cohen LeSouder with a goal and assist. Callum McMann and Jacob Wiles each had an assist while Riley Mathieson and Ben Wyatt both scored once. Carson Knott recorded the shutout.
Stratford now moves on to the Alliance Bristol quarter finals against either the Sarnia Jr. Sting or the Kitchener Jr. Rangers Blue, beginning their quest for the Alliance Bristol Major Bantam title. If that milestone is achieved, the Warriors will move onto the Ontario Hockey Federation championships in Oakville April 5-7 to battle for the provincial Major Bantam A championship.