Feb 13, 2019 | jboersma | 1176 views
The Jeffrey Custom Masonry Minor Bantam MD Warriors began their playoff run
The Jeffrey Custom Masonry Minor Bantam MD Warriors begin their playoff run with 3 strong games recently but were only rewarded with 2 pts for the efforts.
The Jeffrey Custom Masonry Minor Bantam MD Warriors began their playoff run with 3 strong games recently but were only rewarded with 2 pts for the efforts.
In their playoff opener, the Warriors would face a gritty Burlington Bulldogs squad on the road. The tenacious Warriors forechecked the Bulldogs with reckless abandon which resulted in several quality scoring chances, but Stratford was unable to solve the Burlington netminder. Equal to the task was Warrior goalie Daly Trainor who turned aside a barrage of Burlington shots through 2 periods. Heading into the 3rd deadlocked a zeros, both teams stepped up their play in an effort to generate some offence. However, with under 5 minutes to play, Burlington would finally crack the goose-egg on a bullet shot which rang off the post and in. The Warriors would scramble to tie the game but their efforts would fall short and they ultimately succumbed in a 2-0 final.
Looking to bounce back, the Warriors would head home to the friendly confines of the Allman area to do battle with the Kitchener Rangers in a Sunday matinee fit for the ages. Stratford stormed out of the gate with a high energy attack which resulted in several scoring chances. And while the Warriors were able to beat the goaltender on 3 occasions in the opening 5 minutes, they were not able to beat the goal posts. Although being outplayed, Kitchener was able to open the scoring on a nifty 2 on 1 break midway through the first. The Warriors would storm back to tie the game moments later on a well-placed point shot from Connor McIntosh that would find the twine. Carter Stock and Jackson Nickel would draw assists on the goal. Stratford would take their foot off the gas to open the second period and the Rangers would take advantage, scoring twice before the mid-way mark of the frame. A goaltending change seemed to spark the Warriors and in the final minute of the period, Stock would strike unassisted on a crafty odd angle shot which eluded the Kitchener goalie. The Warriors continued to pressure Kitchener to open the third period and would pull back to even at the 10 minute mark when Nickel sprung Stock on a breakaway with a long stretch pass. Stock would make no mistake firing a rocket high glove side for his third point of the night. Following the goal, the game would take on a rougher tone and a parade to penalty box ensued for both teams. Despite each team having multiple power plays, neither was able to pull ahead and the game would end in a 3-3 tie. The wildly entertaining game would be overshadowed in the final seconds with a reckless, neanderthalic incident orchestrated by a Kitchener player that will surely result in suspension.
Hungary for a win, Stratford would then head back out on the road for a Friday night tilt in Steeltown with the Hamilton Huskies. The Warriors would once again start the game with great energy, taking the play to the Huskies in the opening minutes. The hard work paid off at the 12 minute mark when Josh Rogers would opening the scoring on a rebound after a well placed shot from Ethan Boersma. Stratford would continue to take the play to the Huskies and would soon pull ahead 2-0 on the powerplay when Erik Smith would convert on a nice passing play started by Boersma and Zach Freeland. The Warriors would carry their lead into the second but found themselves in penalty trouble early in the frame. Hamilton would strike twice with the extra man in the period and the game would head to the final frame deadlocked at 2. The third period saw several quality chances at both ends of the ice, but Trainor and his Husky counterpart would thwart all offensive opportunities that came their way and the game would end in a well contested 2-2 draw.
Booster Club members Teresa Riehl and Alix Boersma maintained a strong presence in rallying the troops from the stands during these contents, while longtime supporter and optimist Darren Akey played a vital role in diffusing a would-be off ice attack from the opposition faithful.
The Warriors will look to extend their unbeaten streak next weekend with games against Hamilton and Burlington.