Playoff Update!, News, Minor Bantam MD, U14-U15 (Bantam), 2016-2017 (Stratford Minor Hockey Association)

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This Team is part of the 2016-2017 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Mar 17, 2017 | Jkeller | 1497 views
Playoff Update!
The Jeffrey Custom Masonry Minor Bantam MD Warriors completed the round robin portion of their playoff schedule recently with mixed results.

Hosting Burlington in a rematch of a feisty affair the week previous, the Warriors settled for a 4-4 against the last place Bulldogs.  It was a back and forth battle where the Warriors would surrender the lead on 3 occasions.

Scoring for Stratford was Keegan Riehl, Colten Cowan, Carter Stock and Owen Duiker.  Assists went to Duiker with 2, Cowan and Maddox Keller.

Callup Goaltender Liam Parsons played well in the Warrior net.  Defenseman Alex Franke battled hard and helped clear the crease all game. 

The Warriors would then hit the road to face first place St. Catharines in a Sunday afternoon tilt in the Garden City.  Stratford got off to a slow start in this one and found themselves down 1-0 early on a powerplay goal by the Hurricanes.  Goaltender Dailey Trainor stood on his head and kept the sluggish Warriors in the game for most of the first two periods.  St. Catharines would again connect on the powerplay early in third period to go up 2-0.  Stratford would answer moments later on a nice drive to the net from Colton Cowen who beat the Hurricane goalie unassisted to pull the Warriors within one.  Stratford would continue to press the play and generate several quality chances in the closing minutes of the contest, but we unable to crack the St. Catharines defensive shell.  The Hurricanes would add an empty netter in the final minute to cement at 3-1 win.  Ethan Boersma played a whale of a game on defense, while Zach Freeland was buzzing in the corners all game.

Back home on Wednesday, the Warriors would put together their most complete effort of the season, but would settle for a 2-2 tie against Woodstock.  After their league best penalty kill would stave off two early penalties, the Warriors would dominate this one, putting 27 shots on the Woodstock net.  But the Navy Vets goaltender was equal to the task while Stratford netminder Dailey Trainor would match his counterpart save for save, which left the game scoreless heading to the third period.  Woodstock would crack the gooseegg with just under 10 minutes remaining in the third on nice shot from the point.  The Warriors kept the onslaught coming and were finally able to solve the Woodstock goaltender at the seven minute mark when Rocco Sigl made a nice tip on a well placed point shot from Jackson Nickel.  Owen Duiker would also draw an assist.  The Warriors would then take the lead 90 seconds later on a nice individual effort from Duiker who ended a nice rush up the ice with a gorgeous deke on the Woodstock goalie.  Stratford would continue to carry the play for the final 5 minutes, but Woodstock was able to capitalize on a bad line change and defensive miscue by the Warriors with a minute remaining to pull back to even.  The Warriors would hit the crossbar in the final ten seconds, but the well played game would end in a tie – an unfortunate outcome for the Warriors who were clearly the better team on this night.  Jake Bossence was a force on the forecheck all game recovering pucks almost at will.   Josh Rogers blazed around the ice creating havoc for the Woodstock defenders.

With a second round series with Kitchener already decided, the shorthanded Warriors would finish the round robin on the road in Kitchener for a preview of their upcoming 4 point series.  Playing with only 9 skaters, the Warriors tired early and found themselves down 4-0 at the end of the first period.  Coach Bob Zimmer would settle down the squad at intermission and the Warriors came into the second period looking like a new team.  Colten Cowan would connect on a feed from Keegan Riehl at the 7 minute mark of the period to get the Warriors on the board.  Goaltender Dailey Trainor was strong in relief of callup Matthew Reid who didn’t get much help from his teammates in the opening frame.  The Warriors would carry the momentum into the 3rd period until Kitchener would finally solve Trainor with 3 minutes remaining.  Although the game ended in 5-1 loss, the Warriors left with confidence heading into what should be an epic series against the Jr. Rangers next week.  Special mention goes to injured forward Brody Jeffrey who has been the teams biggest fan and supporter of his teammates while on injured reserve.

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