The Stratford Canadian Tire Major Bantam Warriors are the
2016/2017 Ontario Hockey Federation Champions, after a dominant six game
performance in Oakville this past weekend at the Bantam A OHF Championship
Tournament. Stratford went 6-0 in the tournament, scoring 25 goals and
only giving up 6, and capped a 17 win, 1 loss playoff run that started in early
February of this year.
In the championship match Sunday afternoon, Stratford took on the NOHA Champion Cochrane Blues, and put on a clinic of physical play and scoring finesse against a team that came in carrying the number one ranking in the province. Stratford completely schooled the northern champions 8-0 by scoring early and often and Cochrane had no response but for chippy play. When the final buzzer sounded, there was no doubt who that number one ranking in the province belonged to. Ben Tenhag, Adam Windsor, Jared LeSouder, and Josiah Kraayenbrink all had one goal apiece, while. Cohen LeSouder and Kayden Schooley each had a goal and assist. Noah Rusen Steele had two goals and an assist until the half way point of the game when he was the victim of a vicious slash to the ankle that ended his day. Connor Hill and Ben Wyatt also picked up individual assists. Carson Knott was solid in net when tested.
Stratford advanced to the semifinals early Sunday morning, by beating their Alliance arch rivals, the London Jr. Mustangs 3-1. The Warriors defeated London in the Alliance finals 4 games to 1, and also defeated them in round robin action of this tournament, 4-2. The semi-final affair was a close match, with both teams heading into the third period with a goal apiece. Rusen Steele was the only Warrior to find the back of the net, as the grip on the sticks was tight for Stratford and nerves appeared to be a factor. Windsor assisted. Stratford came out flying in the third, and tournament scoring leader Jared LeSouder (10 goals and 3 assists) scored twice to seal the win and send Stratford to the finals. Jacob Wiles picked up an assists on the LeSouder’s first tally, the second was unassisted. Knott came up with some huge saves early and often, to help the Warriors stay in the game until they found their scoring touch.
In round robin play Saturday, Stratford beat the Oakville Rangers 4-2 and Cochrane 4-1. Kari Dingman played well in the Ranger victory, making several key saves against the hosts from the OMHA. Jared LeSouder had a pair of goals, while Callan Ferguson had a goal and an assist in the final round robin game. Rusen Steele, who finished second in tournament scoring with 10 point, had two assists, while Riley Mathieson, Callum McMann and Tenhag all had individual helpers. Connor Hill was the other goal scorer for the Warriors.
Earlier in the day, Stratford faced the number one ranked Cochrane Blues and had perhaps their easiest game of the round robin, downing the Cochrane Blues 4-1. Windsor had a pair for Stratford, and Jared LeSouder the other two. Rusen Steele picked up two more assists, and McMann one more, as did Ben Tenhag, who finished fourth in tournament scoring with 6 points over the weekend.
Stratford opened the tournament on Friday with round robin wins of 4-2 over London and 2-0 over Barrie. Knott was once again stellar in both wins.