The Neumeister Motors Tier Two Stratford Warriors travelled to Paris and Cambridge, Ontario to take part in the 48th Annual Wayne Gretzky International Hockey Tournament from December 27-28. The boys, as always, enjoyed time with their teammates and showed some growth in their first games both after a long lay off and in new positions.
In their opening game against the Brantford 99ers, the Warriors lost a seesaw 4-3 battle. For Stratford notable performances came from Evan Hughes who returned to the score sheet with a pair. Cody Duiker assisted on the first and Kieran Johnson assisted on the second. .John Spillane, in his first game at left wing scored his first goal of the season bringing the Warriors to within one late in the third period. Josh Steele assisted. Rowan Green was named player of the game for good reason. He was tenacious on the blue line, getting back quickly, clearing the puck and breaking up several chances. Lukas Morrison was solid at defense and kept the 99ers away from the net on many chances.
In the second game against Sarnia, the Warriors fell behind early, rallied late but fell short in a 6-3 game that saw the team use an improved forecheck and get better scoring chances. Fischer McPherson scored twice. The first was unassisted and the second was set up by John Spillane and Josh Steele. Kadyn Adams scored in the third period as well. Quinn Smith was named Warrior player of the game for his strong play in goal that allowed Stratford to get back into the game in the third period.
In the third game, the Warriors fell behind early 3-0, staged a comeback by getting to within one, but unfortunately, a series of turnovers and transition goals lead to a 6-2 Ayr Flames win. Evan Hughes scored late in the first period, assisted by Kadyn Adams. In the second period, Kieran Johnson scored a hi-lite reel goal as he drew the puck past a defender, fired a wrist shot and and beat the goalie. The goal was set up by Rowan Green. Other notable performances came from Ezra Wreford and Nolan Tryssennar for clearing the puck, breaking up scoring chances and completing lead passes. Davis Longston kept the Flames at bay by making a number of pad and stick saves.
To finish the tournament on Thursday night, the team took on London North Nationals with a chance to play spoiler. The game was fast-paced from the start with London taking an early lead. After falling behind 2-0 at the end of the first, Kieran Johnson intercepted a pass and scored on a breakaway wrist shot to the top corner over the glove of the goaltender. Towards the end of the second period the Warriors created a sustained attack led by Evan Hughes and Josh Steele at forward and Caellum Parsons who hemmed London in their own zone with some aggressive play at the blue line. The comeback fell short and Stratford fell 3-1. Fischer McPherson was named player of the game and earned it with some fast skating, face off wins and excellent passing.
The team is off for a few days and gets back to practise on January 2nd with regular season games January 6.