It took an entire team effort, but Henry Tuer turned in a sensational performance in his first start with the Warriors, November 17.
The Dunny's Source for Sports Warriors Minor Peewee MD team travelled to Brantford to face the unbeaten first place 99ers and despite falling behind 1-0 just 10 seconds into the game they rallied to tie it when Tayler Cook, from his stomach, used his outstretched stick to sweep the puck into the net with 6:23 remaining in the first.
Tuer gained confidence as the game progressed and he rose to the challenge and exceeded expectations, making dozens of glove and blocker saves.
Late in the second the Warriors jumped on their chances. Mark Martin intercepted a pass at the blueline and raced up the left side on a breakaway and snapped a beauty top corner that gave the Warriors the lead. Seconds later, Kibedi kept it in at the left point and drove hard down the left side, before overpowering the defenders as he cut out front and hammered it home and it was 3-1 with 2:36 to play in the second.
Unfortunately the 99ers benefited from a bad bounce midway through the third to cut the lead to 3-2. Then with three minutes to go the home side was given a power play to help build momentum. Seconds later Brantford found the back of the net to tie it 3-3.
A credit to the entire team as players were asked to play new positions for the first time. Former goalie Reed Bowles asked to play centre and defenseman Nash McIlroy as forward found a new attitude to thwart the Brantford forwards.
The Warriors will participate in the Barrie Minor Hockey Association tournament, November 22-24.
They return to league action out of town on November 28 versus the Kitchener Junior Rangers and on November 30 they host Cambridge at 6:45 p.m.
E. Pennington