The Rheo Thompson Tier III Novice Warriors faced off with the Woodstock Junior Navy Jets in a home and home exhibition series, September 23 and 24.
On Sept. 23, the Warriors travelled to Woodstock. Keeson DeYoung got the start and was tested immediately and made a couple of big stops unfortunately the Navy Jets built a 3-0 lead at the end of the first after out shooting the Warriors 6-3. In the second, Stratford started to get things going offensively. DeYoung made a big save on a shot in the slot and then moments later, Liam Micks found Ethan Schmidt in the neutral zone and he raced in alone and flipped it up and over the netminder to make it 3-1. Woodstock took a 4-1 lead two minutes later as they continued to dominate on the shot clock.
Kibedi came on in relief and was tested immediately. The boys responded and Nate Meadows kept it in at the point and found Owen Martin who fed Cohen Bowles out front. Bowles made no mistake to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Unfortunately, Woodstock added one on a breakaway and two on rebounds to win 7-2.
On September 24, Kibedi got the start in net and turned aside seven in the first period while Caleb Hurley nearly netted one.
The teams exchanged chances in the second and Kibedi stood tall until 4:26 remaining when they slipped one in and added a second on a rebound late in the frame as Woodstock fired 13 more on net.
DeYoung came in for the third and made some great stops too.
Into the third, Hurley fed Jason Adair in front and he found the bottom right corner to make it 3-1. Woodstock added three more before Schmidt raced in and found the back of the net with 35 seconds to go.
The defense of Ethan Bridges, Alex Erb, Colton Campbell and Nate Meadows turned in its strongest showing breaking up plays and limiting shots.
The Warriors play in the Warriors Early Bird tournament, September 29-October 1.