The Holloway Automotive Minor Atoms participated in The Kitchener Oktoberfest Tournament this past weekend reaching the semi-finals with a 3-0-1 record in pool play. Unfortunately they were defeated in that semi-final game by Woolwich in a spirited game that was very close to the bitter end.
The Warriors began pool play early Friday with a dominating 8-2 win over Meadowvale. Goal scorers were Cassone and Davis with two each, and singles to Mikel, Kibedi, Brenzil and Bauld. Helpers went to Hish(2), Holloway(2), DeBoeck(2), Brenzil, Martin, and Bridgey. The entire D-force played well limiting their Hawk opponents to just 2 tallies.....One on the PP and the other a very late inconsequential goal. Walters stood tall in the goal turning away 16 of 18 shot attempts.
Game 2 was another big win, this time 8-0 over the Halton Hills Thunder. Deboeck and Cassone with 2 each and Pars, Martin, Kibedi and Davis rounded out the scoring. Flanny with 2 helpers and single assists to Brenzil, White-Roy and Martin. Bowlsey earned the shutout with 17 stops.
The trend continued into Saturday with another convincing 8-0 win over Ted Reeve Thunder. The D was once again magnificent turning away any threat that Ted Reeve could mount while Walters earned the shutout when the shots did get through. However these blow-out wins may have led to a little complacency as the Warriors last pool game was a 2-2 tie with Peterborough. Despite outshooting the Petes overall, several lapses led to glorious Peterborough chances and Bowlsey had to be alert to ensure the tie was secure.
The 3-0-1 record gave Stratford the number 2 seed and a matchup with the Woolwich Wildcats. The game began a tad sluggish after the long weekend for the boys but they persevered through the first period at a scoreless draw. Period 2 saw a few momentary lapses that led to Woolwich goals but overall the game was territorily even but we trailed 2-0. The 3rd was tense and Martin finally scored for the "good-guys' to cut the Woolwich lead in half at 2-1. However that was as close as the Warriors would get as a few questionable and untimely penalties would ultimately sink the Stratty-lads in a 4-1 defeat.
Overall it was another great tournament result and springboard back to league play where the Warriors have two crucial seeded play games next weekend at LJK Green and at home hosting Burlington.