The Evoke Marketing Tier I Novice Warriors got robbed in London versus their nemesis the Nationals, February 9.
Scoreless late in the first, Mac Munro made the stop and the referee blew the whistle but the puck trickled free and crossed the line and then the referee decided to signal a goal.
In the second, the Warriors controlled the play as the defensemen Nate Meadows, Nick McGill, Ryan Watling, Ryder Duchense, Liam Micks and Cohen Bowles limited the Nationals offensive chances. The forwards did a great job of backchecking hard to keep it 1-0 after two periods.
The Nationals found the back of the net for two quick ones early in the third but the Warriors refused to give up. A four minute penalty to the Nationals allowed the Warriors to change the momentum firing eight shots on net. With 5:12 to go, Caleb Hurley dangled around the defense and roofed it in close to get the Warriors on the board. Then with 2:44 left, and Stratford on the power play, Ethan Bridges and Luke Hishon found Jason Adair and he rifled a shot up and over the netminder. Unfortunately the Nationals added an empty netter with 14.6 seconds remaining for a 4-2 win leaving the Warriors in fifth place in the battle for a playoff position.
The Warriors are back in action in Oakridge February 16 and they host the North London Nationals February 17 at 1 p.m. at the Allman.