The
SMHA Stratford Motor Products Minor Midget rep team
parlayed two late goals from the defense corps into a four point to zero
sweep of the Hamilton Huskies in Alliance Bristol single A semi-final action
over the weekend. The Warriors will now face Waterloo in a six point semi-final
with a trip to the Alliance championship series on the line.
Saturday in Stratford an over time point shot from the side boards by Jack Whitehead fooled the Hamilton goaltender and gave Stratford the 4-3 game one win. An Owen Singer low drive gave the Warriors a 3-2 lead late in the 2nd period and it looked like it may stand up as the winner until the visitors tallied with just 1:24 left in regulation to send the festivities to an extra frame. Luke Gaylor and Caleb Musselman on the power play netted Stratford’s first two goals. Gaylor, Owen Duiker, Whitehead, Patrick Holloway, Carter Musselman, Aiden McMann and Will Schlotzhauer each had an assist in the victory.
Sunday in Hamilton a short handed marker by the visitors with just four seconds remaining gave the Warriors a 2-1 win. After some strong defensive play by Whitehead and Caleb Musselman in the Stratford zone, Schlotzhauer raced to a loose puck in the neutral zone went in on the Huskies goal untouched and sealed the series by beating the Hamilton tender with a nifty deke. The teams exchanged first period goals with Ryan Adriaanse tallying for Stratford assisted by Caleb Musselman and Calaen Trupp.