On Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, the Minor Bantam Warriors loaded up on the bus and ventured down to Burlington for a day of hockey against the Jr Cougars Blue and White teams.
The boys faced off against Cougars Blue first and came out swinging. The Warriors cycled the puck well took advantage of several opportunities to end the first period up 4-1. The intensity of game picked up in the second period and penalties would follow for both teams. Burlington would net a power play goal, but it didn’t phase the Warriors. The third period again was intense with players from both teams in the penalty box. Nearing the end of the period Stratford had 2 players in the time out box, Burlington pulled the goalie to go 6 on 3 to try and get ahead. The penalty killers were vigilant, and goalie Koen Gerber was on point all game to shut down the Cougars to take the win 4-2. Scoring for Stratford was; Jericho McNichol, Mark Pyzowski, Owen Gaylor, Cole Humphrey and assists going to Jericho McNichol (2) & Quinn Appel (2).
For the evening game the Warriors squared up against Cougars White. The Warriors applied pressure right away and played most of the game in Burlington’s end. A clean, fast game saw the Warriors outshoot Burlington White 4:1. Impressive passing and puck control led to a 6-0 victory. Goalie Jesse Merkel was excellent in his first game back from a leg injury and earned a shut out with ease. Scoring for Stratford was; Jackson Campbell, Nate Framst (2), Nathan Gibb, Mark Pyzowski, Owen Gaylor and assists going to Owen Gaylor.
Sunday evening the Warriors faced the London Jr Mustangs White. It was a fast-paced game with lots of shots at both ends but London would strike first and Stratford responded to tie up the first period. In the second period London again struck first and quickly got another bringing it to a 3-1 game, Stratford came back to tie it up but would end the period 4-3. A power play goal in the third frame for London would make the final score 5-3 for London. Koen Gerber made several impressive saves throughout the game. Scoring for Stratford was; Beckham McLeod, Jericho McNichol and Nate Framst with assists going to Ben Fizell.
Tuesday night at the Duff, Stratford hosted the 2nd place Waterloo Wolves. Waterloo stepped on the ice overconfident and not expecting to see what a determined Warrior team was capable of. The Warriors outplayed the Wolves from the first face off and never let off the gas. A huge goal in the first period by Jericho McNichol put Stratford in high gear and the Warriors scored 3 more in the second period. The third period got a little grittier and more penalties followed but Warriors stayed on track and controlled the game to take the win 4-0. Jesse Merkel was outstanding in net, taking his second shutout of the season. Scoring for Stratford was; Jericho McNichol (2), Jackson Campbell and Dylan Fischer and picking up the assists were Mark Pyzowski (2), Owen Gaylor (2) and Nathan Gibb.
Next action for Stratford will be a pair of home games this coming weekend when they will face the Woodstock Navy Jets and the Cambridge Hawks.