This past weekend the Evoke Marketing and
Promotions Novice Tier 1 Warriors competed in the 60th annual Preston
International Championships and walked away undefeated with a 5-0 record for the
weekend.
Game 1 would be against the North Durham Warriors. The game would begin as a close affair with Maddyx Chaput scoring the lone goal of the period with Jake Schultz assisting until Stratford would take over the game midway through the 2nd period when Maddyx Chaput and Caden Ollson would add to the lead ending the 2nd period 3-1. Chaput would add 2 more goals in the 3rd while Tyler Jackson and Nate VanBakel also found the back of the net. Assists on the remaining Warrior goals were earned by Nate VanBakel (2), Reid Morris, Jack Bannon, Hudsyn Chaput, Jack Haines and Tyler Jackson. Player of the game was awarded to Tyler Jackson for Stratford. Final was a win 7-1.
Game 2 would be against Fort Erie. Once again the boys would tally only a single marker in the 1st frame, scored by Caden Ollson with the helper belonging to Nate VanBakel. From that point forward the Warriors would own the game as they would add 4 more in each the 2nd and 3rd periods for a 9-0 win. Scoring for Stratford would be Hudsyn Chaput with the hatty, while Maddyx Chaput and Caden Ollson each had a pair. Reid Morris would fill in on forward and would also make no mistake finding the back of the net. Jake Schultz also scored for the Warriors. Remaining assists were earned by Nate VanBakel, Jake Schultz (2), Owen Blackburn, Maddyx Chaput, Griffin Harvey, Reid Morris, Caden Ollson, Graedon Smith, Jack Bannon and Piers Murray (2). Carter Keating earned the shutout for the Warriors while Graedon Smith earned the player of the game.
Game 3 was against the Hespeler Shamrocks who were also undefeated up to this point in the tourney. The boys were rested well and came out ready to play. This game the 1st period would show their readiness to play as they would score the first 2 markers of the game, credited to Jake Schultz, his first of (2) in the game and Nate VanBakel, with Hudsyn and Maddyx Chaput each assisting on a goal before Hespeler would answer back with 1 of their own. That was as tight as the game would be as Stratford would own the 2nd and 3rd periods of the game. Also scoring for the Warriors would be Hudsyn Chaput with (5) and Maddyx Chaput with (2). Also earning assists for the Warriors would be Tyler Jackson with (3), Jack Haines, Will Pepper and Jack Bannon. Final score was a 10-3 win. Will Pepper earned player of the game.
The 4th game and semi-final matchup of the tournament was an unique event for the boys as they would play a game in the Cambridge Mall where the icepad was located. With the crowd watching from above and around the mall the boys would face the Pelham Panters, who earned the 4th seed in the tounament. Tyler Jackson had a big game for the Warriors as he would lead the way to victory with his 1st hat trick as a Warrior. Although the 1st period kept the Warrior fans tense the rest of the game opened up and they would convincely win the match 8-1. Also scoring in the game would be Hudsyn Chaput with (2), Maddyx Chaput, Jake Schultz and Graedon Smith. The Warriors moved the puck around well and the assists reflected on the scoresheet with credit belonging to Maddyx Chaput (2), Caedon Ollson, Piers Murray (2), Hudsyn Chaput, Griffin Harvey, Jack Bannon (2), Reid Morris, Graedon Smith, Owen Blackburn and Will Pepper. Piers Murray played a strong game and earned player of the game. Final result was a 8-1 win, with the boys also winning the shot count 31-5 and a berth in the Championship game Sunday morning.
The Championship matchup would be a rematch against a very determined Hespeler squad who skated hard and pressed the Warriors consistently. The tight back and forth matchup would be reflected on the scoresheet as there was nothing to report for the 1st period. It took until late in the 2nd period with 2:28 remaining when Maddyx Chaput would work his way through to deposit a sweet deke into the Shamrock net. Tyler Jackson and Will Pepper would send him on his way to putting the boys in the lead. Hespeler would then get a tripping call against them and Stratford would take advantage as Hudsyn Chaput would add a goal to double the lead, with Jake Schultz and Maddyx Chaput assisting. Late the 3rd period with time ticking away the Shamrocks found a break and would slip one past Carter Keating ( who stood strong in the net ) to cut the lead to a goal. Hespeler would continue to press but with no luck as Stratford would win the Championship with the 2-1 win.
The coaching staff was extremely pleased with the strong team play, puck movement and contribution from the entire team, well done boys!
No rest for the crew though as they are back on the road Monday night Jan 15/18 to play their 1st playoff game against the Oakridge Aeros.