The Stratford Atom Rep Warriors, sponsored by Perth Auto Dismantler, started off their season with an exhibition game versus the St.Thomas Stars last Saturday, September 7, 2019. Coaches Jamie Morris, Jim Bannon, Steve Olson and Maverick Petrie were excited for their team to hit the ice at the Joe Thorton Arena.
St. Thomas got on the board first with a goal at the 8 minute mark. Unfortunately, Stratford got the first penalty in the game and St. Thomas used this to score a second goal during a scuffle in front of the net. Stratford worked together cooperatively to keep the puck away from the crease. Griffin Harvey and Cam Munroe fired some nice shots from the point. Around the 5 minute mark, St Thomas managed to sneak in another goal past number 30, Quinn Smith, making it 2-0.
Stratford got on the scoreboard by using a power play to score at 4:37. Strong defence from Owen Blackburn and Will Pepper helped Stratford gain momentum. Forward passing by Reid Morris, Jack Bannon and Tye Jackson helped deliver the puck to the St. Thomas net.
Evan Hughes made a break to the net, followed by a pass to Caden Ollson, and then to Will Pepper, to score a second goal making it -2-2. Number 1, Carter Keating, joined the game at 9:34 for his 2019 season debut.
By the second period, the score was 4 to 2 for The Stars. Munroe scored a wrap around goal into the left corner to bring it closer at 4 to 3. Number 7 Griffin Harvey, made a nice lobb shot to the net to keep it in their end. Piers Murray stayed strong on defence in the second. The Atom Reps began to come together in the second period.Jake Schultz and Nate Van Bakel fought tirelessly in front of the net with 1 minute left to help Keating, keep the puck out. Munroe shot at the corner and it slid in under the pads to get Stratford their tying goal with 50 seconds left in the second period. Hughes and Kieran Johnson assisted Cameron to make the play.
The tie was broken in the third period, when The Stars scored on a penalty play. Graedon Smith reacted with a breakaway to the far end, but he was left empty handed. The coaches decided to pull the goalie and have 6 men on at the 1:55 mark to try and battle a come back. The game finished with a 6 to 5 score for the Stars. Stratford Atom Rep Warriors had an action-packed opening game!
by Tarra Green