The Stratford All Equip Repair Minor Pee
Wee MD Warriors finished off tournament play this past weekend where they
travelled to London to take part in the Byron Optimist Tournament hosted by the
West London Hawks.
Stratford opened the tournament Friday morning where they played the Burlington Bulldogs to a hard fought 0-0 tie. Hutton Patterson got the shutout for the Warriors and was very strong between the posts, including a glove save robbery from point blank range to keep the game at zero.
Stratford had lots of pressure in the offensive zone. Sam Pepper, Justin Hodgson and Jackson Grasby pressured the puck well. Tyson Malcho and Jackson Campbell were solid in the defensive end keeping scoring chances at a minimum.
In game 2 the Warriors faced a feisty Brantford 99’ers team. Brantford opened the scoring but Stratford stuck to their disciplined game plan, tieing the game on a power play goal by Quinn Elder. Austin Cosstick and Cole Humphrey picked up assists. Good Hustle by Hunter Currie kept the pressure on, and Stratford would take the lead in the 3rd frame when Brayden Gerber picked up a loose puck beside the net after a hard shot from the point by Jack Buckley. Nick Laverty was spectacular in net for the Warriors holding off a late surge by Brantford in the third period to collect the win.
In game 3 Stratford faced the Brampton 45’s and got down early as Brantford scored 3 unanswered goals to go up 3-0. Laverty was solid again as he faced many shots throughout the game making many key saves. With 8 minutes left to play the Warriors never say die attitude began their comeback when Nate Framst took a feed from Cole Humphrey and rushed through the offensive zone burying a shot over the glove of the Brampton goalie. The Warriors continued to pressure and just over a minute to play Jackson Campbell made it 3-2, with Brayden Gerber and Sam Pepper collecting the assist. Stratford pulled the goalie in the last minute, with 8 seconds left in the game Nate Framst scored his second goal of the game to pull off the tie.
Game 4 Saturday night the Warriors faced Sarnia and were unable to slow down a very good skating and shooting Sting team falling 6-1. Ethan Plotnik got the loan goal for Stratford. Hutton Patterson did all he could to keep Stratford in the game making several difficult saves.
The Warriors 1-1-2 record in the tournament finished tied for 3rd in their pool but goal differential pushed them out of the Sunday medal rounds. It was a great showing by the Stratford All Equip Repair Minor Pee Wee MD Warriors. The coaching staff are very proud of the effort and teamwork put forth in all 4 games they played. They look to build on the positive showing when they continue second half league play at Burlington on February 3rd.