This past weekend, Stratford Minor Atom Rep Warriors, sponsored by Holloway Automotive Ltd. played a jam-packed weekend of hockey!
The action started Friday evening on October 19, as the Warriors travelled to Cambridge to play the Hawks. The scoreboard lit up at the 7 minute mark when the Hawks scored. On a Warrior power play, the score was tied up, at 1:40 of the second period. The goal was scored by Caden Ollson, and assisted by Owen Blackburn. Quinn Smith was tested but confidently kept the pucks out of the net. Warriors challenged the Hawks with a lot of shots taken and defensive play, to hold the game to a tie and land a point.
On Saturday, October 20, 2018 London Knights Green travelled to Stratford RBC Arena, Carter Keating made some great saves in the first period, keeping the score 1-0. The game was tied up after Jake Schultz scored on picking up a loose puck after Evan Hughes rushed the goalie. The Warriors fought off 2 mins on a 5 on 3 in the second period. Going into the third period, Graedon Smith scored right off the face-off from the point, after the centerman won the face-off to make the score 3-2. Final score was 6-2 for the Knights but our Warrior boys hustled and showed grit during the game. Passing and interceptions by Reid Morris, Jack Bannon and Caellum Parsons kept the Knights fighting for the puck, while strong muscle at the point by Rowan Green held the puck in the oppositions end.
Sunday’s game had the Warriors facing off against the London Mustangs White, at the RBC Arena. The first 2 minutes had the visiting fans in an upset over a contested goal, but the refs called it in. Nate Van Bakel, assisted by Piers Murray scored this first goal. Minutes later, the second goal was scored by Evan Hughes and assisted by Will Pepper and Jake Schultz. Nate Van Bakel finished the first period with a blast into the Mustang net. Caden Ollson scored short into the second with assist by Ezra Wreford. At the end of the second, Tyler Jackson passed a nice puck to Evan Hughes for his second of the game. At 8:14 Evan Hughes scored his “third” on a power play, making the score 6-3. This was followed by a short-handed goal by Piers Murray with Nate Van Bakel assisting. London pulled their goalie to fight back but Stratford shut it down and kept the score at 7-3 for win. Evan Hughes and his team mates celebrated his hat trick after the game! Stratford Minor Atom Reps enjoyed the win and the 2 point addition to the league standings.
Last Monday Night, October 15, the Atom Rep team travelled to Woodstock. It was a close game ending in 4-3 loss for Stratford.
Next game action will be on October 27, 2018 against the Sarnia Sting at the Rotary complex.
Written By: Tarra Green