Written by Maureen Whitehead. The Stratford Jr Warriors Midget team has advanced to the
Alliance finals after a thrilling 3-3 tie at home Tuesday night against the
Waterloo Wolves.
Waterloo, hoping to extend the series, struck first but with a minute and a half left in the 1st period Patrick Holloway scored off a face-off win by Noah Rusen-Steele. The Wolves took the lead again a minute into the 2nd period, but Stratford answered when Jack Whitehead sent Rusen-Steele in alone, beating the goalie for a shorthanded goal to tie the game. Waterloo scored again to take a 3-2 lead into the 3rd period. The Warriors came out flying in the 3rd period but couldn’t find the equalizer until Callan Ferguson scored a power play goal with 10 minutes left in the game. Holloway assisted on the goal. Waterloo pressed hard for the winning goal but solid defensive play by the Warriors and some outstanding saves from Powers kept the Wolves off the scoreboard in the final frame. An exciting 5 minute overtime, highlighted by strong play along the boards by Rusen-Steele, ended with the score still knotted at 3-3, sending the Warriors to the championship round of the playoffs where they will now face the Kitchener Jr Rangers.