The Neumeister Motors Tier Two Novice Warriors played two games this week. On Saturday, they travelled to Kitchener to play the Jr.Rangers Blue team and on Tuesday they hosted the Waterloo Wolves. Despite a pair of losses (4-1 and 4-0) there were some bright spots for the Warriors who continue to bond as team, play well together and improve.
On Saturday, February 10, the boys got on the bus just after noon to head to Kitchener. The game started with a lot of back and forth play. Some of the Warriors were adjusting to new positions, and that process worked quite well. On defence Lukas Morrison skated with strong strides and competed for the puck successfully to win some battles and eliminate several chances. Rowan Green worked hard by skating with the puck from the Warrior zone into the Ranger end repeatedly and creating chances for the forwards. Kieran Johnson partnered with Rowan to reduce chances, make lead passes to forwards and skate Rangers wingers away from the Warrior goal.
On the attack Josh Steele returned to the score sheet with a long range shot that fooled the Ranger goalie and brought the Warriors to within a goal in the second period. He also skated well and looked very dangerous in the offensive zone. Evan Hughes continued to improve his two way play from the previous game. Caellum Parsons was determined along the boards and moved the puck ahead several times by winning some battles for the puck.
In net, Davis Longston made some key saves with his new pads and kept the game close in his portion of the game; his play continues to improve.
On Tuesday at home, there were some outstanding performances by the Warriors. Ezra Wreford skated quickly on the wing and created some of the better scoring chances the team got. Kadyn Adams returned to action and showed why he was missed on Saturday. Adams was unlucky not to score twice and showed tremendous stick handling skills especially late in the game. Cody Duiker, improved his two way play as well by getting involved in the action in the neutral zone and making lead passes. Fischer McPherson had probably the best chance as he had a breakaway and just missed the right post.
On defence Tuesday, John Spillane stick handled skillfully and was a physical presence for the Rangers to deal with. Nolan Tryssenaar was busy in the corners and dug the puck out to eliminate danger from the Wolves. In net, Quinn Smith continued to provide the team with strong goaltending and a hi-lite reel save that may have topped the one from the weekend before. Quinn is getting better with each game.
The team will be back at practise on Wednesday as they prepare for Saturday's game in Woodstock against the Navy Jets.