The Perth Auto Dismantlers Major Atom Warriors earned the silver medal in the 50th Annual International Silver Stick Jan 12-14th in Sarnia!
Game one of pool play saw the Warriors come away with a win against the Whitby Wildcats. Duties in net were shared by Brenden Sippel and Ryan McGill. The Warriors capitalized on an early power play with a rocket from Aaron Green. Blake Hodgson closed out the first period with a beauty wrap around, assisted by Colin Schultz. Whitby fought back in the second moving within one but C.Schultz netted two goals, assisted by Blair Stokes, and Carter Petrie went in unassisted making it 5-1. Nathan Siebert scored off a sweet feed from Lukas Steele to close out the second period. Whitby picked up a couple of goals in the third but the Warriors took the game 6-4.
In their second pool play game of the day the Warriors took on North Park Hockey. It was a hard fought and clean tilt with neither team taking a penalty. Petrie opened the scoring with the lone goal in the first, assisted by Stokes. Stokes then rifled one in, assisted by C.Schultz with Zach Schultz shutting down their snipers. Dylan Abel nabbed one from the point, assisted by C. Schultz and then C.Schultz turned around and scored Stratford’s fifth of the game, assisted by Nathan Sibert. Stokes then put the cherry on top with an unassisted goal to end the game.
In hopes of a first place finish in pool play Stratford was looking to defeat the Warwick Wildcats in game three. McGill had to the top job between the pipes and he had some massive saves while earning a shut out! Stokes opened the scoring for Stratford with a rocket, assisted by C.Schultz and Steele. Early in the second C.Schultz closed out the period with a goal assisted by Siebert and Dawson White. Petrie then went up the ice for a shorthanded goal, assisted by Austin Musselman. In the third period Grady Murphy tipped in a shot from Petrie giving Stratford the 4-0 win.
The Quarter final game was a rematch of the Regional Silver Stick gold medal game where the Warriors battled the Burlington Eagles. Stratford came out firing and looking for a semi final spot. Sippel was challenged between the pipes but he was not having any of it, shutting down their offense with the help of Rylan Hall and Ryan Gansevles on the blue line. After a scorless first period, Murphy finally found the back of the net (unassisted.) Later in the same period, the Warriors capitalized on a power play opportunity with Green rifling one in for a final score of 2-0.
Semi final action on Sunday morning saw the boys take on the Barrie Colts. This too was a rematch of the semi played in the Octoberfest tournament where the Warriors squeeked out a win in their first match up. Barrie came out flying, testing Sippel often and early but Stratford struck first with rocket from Petrie, assisted by Stokes. End to end action saw Sippel standing on his head but continually holding off the Colt attack. Mid way through the second C.Schultz netted one, assisted by Green. Early in the third Petrie scored on a one on one, assisted by Hall, giving Stratford a 3-0 lead. Barrie responded with one of their own but Dawson White answered back quickly with nice shot, assisted by Siebert and Gansevles. Stratford held on to win the semi 4-1!
In the gold medal game the Warriors were up against the number one ranked Peterborough Petes. Both teams came out strong, looking for an early lead. Sippel made save after save as the Pete’s snipers pushed hard. Finally at the 4 min mark in the first Petrie nailed one in, assisted by Hodgson giving Stratford a 1-0 lead. But Peterborough answered back with three goals of their own over the next two periods. Never a team to give up, Stratford continued to fight down to the last second. Unfortunately, Peterborough nabbed an empty netter to close out the game 4-1. Congratulations to Blake Hodgson and Carter Petrie who were both named to the tournament All-Star team.
The entire team is commended for an outstanding showing at the International Silver Stick. They played some great hockey and were outstanding ambassadors for Stratford Minor Hockey!
Team Members include: Brenden Sippel, Ryan McGill, Austin Musselman, Rylan Hall, Blair Stokes, Grady Murphy, Nathan Siebert, Aaron Green, Dawson White, Ryan Gansevles, Blake Hodgson, Lukas Steele, Colin Schultz, Dylan Abel, Zach Schultz and Carter Petrie.
Upcoming Action: The Warriors host the London Jr. Knights White @2:30 on January 20, RBC.