Jan 22, 2018 | schaput | 669 views
Novice Tier 1 Split First 2 Playoff Games
This past week the Evoke Marketing and promotions Novice Tier 1 Warriors
split their first 2 playoff games against the Oakridge Aeros on Monday
night on the road and the Sarnia Sting would visit Saturday evening.
This was a good test for the young Jr. Warriors squad as the Sting
finished 1st overall in the regular season and the Aeros finished in 2nd
spot. The Warriors landed in 3rd with a respectable regular season
record of 10-8-2.
The first playoff game against the Aeros was unique Monday evening matchup in Oakridge. The boys were still recovering the weekend tournament in Preston where they won their championship, but back on the road to take their next step in their season, the playoffs. The game started out slow for both squads, but the Aeros were able to tally a single marker to take a 1-0 lead into the 3rd frame. Finally the boys were able to break free as Hudsyn Chaput would score a pair of goals to jump the boys into the lead. Assists on the first 2 Warrior goals belonged to Owen Blackburn, Tyler Jackson, Griffin Harvey and Jake Schultz. Caden Ollson would add another on a perfect pass from Hudsyn Chaput moved out of the Warrior Zone from Piers Murray and Maddyx Chaput would add 1 more insurance marker to complete a 4-1 Stratford victory. The Aeros outshot the Warriors 15-11 and Carter Keating was a huge factor in keeping the squad in the match, turning away all but 1 of the 15 shots he faced.
The second playoff contest was against the always competitive Sarnia Sting. This game would prove to be a back and forth tilt as Sarnia would score, followed by Stratford evening the score. The Sting would take the early advantage 0:10 into the game when they would take an early lead. Nate VanBakel would answer back for the Warriors 3:13 later on a feed from Maddyx Chaput with the alternate assist belonging to Jack Bannon. Caden Ollson would score the 2nd marker for Stratford on a setup from Hudsyn Chaput, but the Sting would answer right back to end the 2nd frame 2-2. Although Stratford put in a solid effort outshooting the Sting 20-14 their luck was not there as Sarnia would score the final 2 goals midway through the 3rd, unfortunately 1 being an unlucky highstick for Stratford. The 3rd and 4th goals for Stratford would be scored by Jake Schultz on the PP, both goals were assisted by Maddyx Chaput, while Hudsyn Chaput and Caden Ollson earned the other assists. Final score was a loss to the Sting 6-4.
Next playoff action for the boys will be a home and home pair of games versus the London Bandits. Saturday will be at home on the Molson Pad at 4:15pm and Sunday will be an early evening game in London.