Minor Peewee Rep Warriors Make It To The Finals At Silver Stick Weekend Qualifiers, News, Minor PeeWee Rep, 2019-2020 (Stratford Minor Hockey Association)

Stratford regrouped and came out with a bang against the Mississauga Blackhawks.   This game had plenty of fireworks from the goals scored, penalties and bench behaviour.  Stratford was able to capitalize on the dramatics.  Cole Hishon started the scoring when he found the net from a pass by Ryan Cassone.  Cassone then added a goal of his own just over a minute later, assisted by Bronwyn Langis and Charlie Holloway.  In the second period Langis had some hot hands when she scored two of three goals.  Her first goal was supported by Nathan Slaght and Cameron Parsons.  Not even a minute later Tessa Burdett followed with a goal set up by Rylan DeBoeck.  Langis added her second at the end of the second period as she connected with a pass from defensive Owen Hunt.  Stratford continued to drive to the net when Slaght score with less than ten minutes to go.  Slaght was assisted by DeBoeck.  The last goal of the game came from Boden Lyons, to give the final score of 7-0 for Stratford. Lyons was assisted by Hishon. Stratford showed they were able to stay focused during the game, even though there was plenty to distract them.

Stratford continued to take the momentum and move forward to their Saturday play.  Stratford faced the opposition of the Toronto Aeros.  Both teams took to the ice with a win and a loss, knowing they had to win to move on to the semis! Stratford got off to a quick start when Ryan Cassone slipped one past the goaltender 35 seconds into the game.  Cassone was assisted by linemate Bronwyn Langis.  The second goal of the game was a beauty shot from Tessa Burdett who did a turn to flip it up and bar down.  Burdett received a pass out front from Boden Lyons.  Just over a minute later Cole Hishon slipped in a goal assisted by Owen Bridges.  The Aeros however managed to regroup between periods and came back with intensity.  They managed to add their own goal on the board.  Stratford kept battling but now it became a defensive game.  Stratford was on the edge of their seats as goaltender Jake Taylor’s stick became stuck in the netting forcing him to rely on his legs to kick out the puck.  The defensive play of Evan White-Roy helped keep the puck out of Stratford’s crease allowing Stratford to win 3-1, ensuring Stratford a spot in the semis!

Stratford players were ready for their next opponent the Sarnia Sting.  The Sting’s meet Stratford in regular season play, and the last game wasn’t pretty! Stratford was ready for redemption.  The game started off with an aggressive Sarnia coming at the Warriors with all they had.  The Warriors refused to back down.  Goaltender Ethan Walters was at the top of his game.  Walters stood on his head facing 29 shots!  With their goalie standing strong between the pipes Stratford capitalized in the third period when Owen Bridges broke the 0-0 tie to put Stratford on the board.  Bridge’s goal was assisted by Taten Mikel and Colten Brenzil.  A few minutes later Tessa Burdett added the second Stratford goal assisted by Boden Lyons and Mikel’s for his second assist of the game.  Sarnia attempted to set up the extra attacker when they pulled the goalie, but Stratford was able to get control and added an empty net goal when Bridges slipped one in after passes from Brenzil and Mason Bauld.  Walters secured his second shutout of the weekend in the 3-0 win and the team was pumped to not only move on to the final, but to defeat the Sarnia Sting!

Early Sunday morning the team entered ready to play the final game. They knew it would be a challenge as they were back facing North Toronto.  Stratford tried to keep up the momentum, but were dominated by the play of North Toronto who spent a lot of time pressuring Stratford in their own end.  Every time Stratford tried to get something going, North Toronto was ready waiting for them.  North Toronto scored the first goal in the game with a quick pass across the net.  Stratford held them back until the third period when North Toronto scored an empty net goal, winning 2-0.  Stratford could not hang their heads as they had an exceptional weekend of play.