This past weekend the Evoke Marketing and
Promotions Novice Tier 1 Warriors opened their regular season with 2 home games.
They played host to the West London Hawks on Saturday and Sarnia would visit for
the first time this season on Sunday, but puck luck and some growing pains were
in the way of the scoreboard reflecting their efforts, although there were a ton
of positives to reflect on.
Game 1 on Saturday would have the boys pumped up to ready to play their 1st regular season game vs the Hawks, a combined squad of last years West London White and Black teams. The period would remain scoreless until Hudsyn Chaput would put the Warriors on the board on a play setup by Piers Murray and Nate VanBakel leaving the boys in the lead at the end of the 1st. Keeping the momentum going Chaput would score his 2nd of the game with the assist belonging to Will Pepper, but less than 1:22 later West London would finally solve Keating and they would add another at the 3:51 mark of the 2nd period to end the frame in a deadlock. Although the boys played with heart and were relentless in their attack, having 2 questionable scoring opportunities and a couple posts in their way, West London was able to find the go ahead goal on a powerplay midway through the 3rd period. With a final effort and the goalie pulled, West London would find an empty net to finish the game winning 4-2.
Sunday's matchup vs the Sting was an evening affair at the Dufferin Arena. The 1st period was much like Saturday's game and would go back and forth, Stratford show casing some of their best play this season with a solid effort from the entire team, highlighted by some stellar saves by Keating until a late goal with 0:32 remaining would put the Sting in the lead. The second period was where the boys lost their opportunity to win the game as they got a little unfocussed in their own end and allowed 2 quick goals to set them behind 3-0. Sarnia would add 3 more to pad their lead, but it was the relentless effort of the Warriors late in the 3rd that the coaching staff was most proud of, as they would tally with 3 quick goals of their own, showing what their potential possibility for the season will be. Scoring credits for the Warriors would be Hudsyn Chaput with a pair and Nate Van Bakel earned a powerplay marker for the boys with Tyler Jackson earning the assist. Also earning a helper on Chaput's goal was Owen Blackburn. Final score was for the Sting 7-3 and shot count was also in their favour 21-17.
Starting with a solid effort on Tuesday mornings Power Skating and looking forward to another solid TEAM effort at Friday's practice the boys will be ready to go for this weekend's rematch against the Hawks and a visit from the Oakridge Aeros on Saturday at the Molson Pad. Game time Saturday is at 4:15pm.