Mar 25, 2017 | MGraham | 1013 views
Champions!
The Stratford Canadian Tire Major Bantam Warriors capped off an incredible playoff run and have won the 2016/2017 Alliance Bristol Division Championships, defeating the London Jr. Mustangs 2-0 Friday night in London and taking the eight point final series, 8 points to 2.
Stratford went through three playoff rounds, and lost only once, running their playoff record Friday night to ten wins and just the one loss. During the streak, the Warriors scored 47 goals and gave up only 17, and will also end the season as the number one ranked Bantam A team in the province, when rankings are updated next week. The season record for Stratford is 33-12-6, with most of the losses coming early in the season.
Scoring for Stratford was Ben ten Hag, a minor bantam call up who scored the game’s first goal, assisted by Jacob Wiles and Jared Lesouder, while Josiah Kraayenbrink scored the second goal late in the third, assisted by Conner Hill. Carson Knott was rock solid in net, earning the shutout for the champs.
The season long focus, hard work and dedication to each other brought this team together in its goal, and the strength of those morals carried this team through thick and thin. They were led by captain Noah Rusen-Steele, who always led by example, never gave up and was always there when needed.
The speed of assistant captains Jacob Wiles and Jared LeSouder gave other teams fits throughout the season, creating multitudes of scoring opportunities. Cohen LeSouder, another assistant captain, along with Callan Ferguson, showed incredible versatility, playing both defence and forward at different points through the year, and doing what was needed for the sake of the team.
The last assistant, Callum McMann, led a defensive corps of Kayden Schooley, Riley Mathieson, Tate Gaylor, and Alex Cassone. The mobility of this group and puck movement was unmatched in the league and was a major key to the team’s success.
The tenacious trio of forwards Conner Hill, Ben Wyatt and Josiah Kraayenbrink brought a combination of scoring and physical play that had most teams hemmed in their own zone when any of them were on the ice. Braeden White, his season shorted with concussion problems, mirrored this style of play and had team looking over their shoulders.
There was never a shortage for the highlight reel with Adam Windsor’s pure goal scoring skills, which shone through all season but particularly the finals.
When injuries became an issue for Stratford, minor bantam call ups Ben ten Hag, Caleb Mussleman and Jack Whitehead stepped in and never looked out of place.
Goaltenders Kari Dingman and Carson Knott provided stellar goaltending all season long and were each other’s biggest supporters which only mirrored the unity shown by all 17 players.
Stratford is not done yet, the Warriors will now compete in the OHF Championships in Oakville April 6, 7, 8 and 9. They will play a round robin and potential playoff round against NOHA champion Cochrane Blues, OMHA champion Barrie Colts, host Oakville Rangers and Alliance runner up London Jr. Mustang’s for provincial supremacy.