After
opening the season with a tough 4-3 loss to the St. Thomas Jr. Stars at home last
weekend, the U15 Stratford Warriors headed to London Saturday Oct. 9 to take on
the Jr. Knights Green team.
The Warriors pounded pucks at the net in the first period but couldn’t manage one past the line. Strong defensive play from Blake Hodgson and Zach Schultz kept the London forwards off balance in the scoreless first frame. The Warriors found themselves shorthanded a few times in the second period but relentless forechecking on the PK from Griffin McGregor and Colin Schultz kept shots to a minimum, keeping the game locked at zeroes once again. The third period resembled the first for the Warriors as they peppered the London keeper. A few breakouts led to some excellent chances for McGregor Grady Murphy and Ryan McGee, but all came up empty. Stratford netminder Adeel Kara kept the sheet clean on his end when called upon, the team keeping the pressure in the London end for most of the period. The Warriors produced chance after chance and frantic action around the London net in the final two minutes. Unfortunately, none slid into the Knights net and a great game ended in a 0-0 tie.
Sunday Oct. 10, the team played host to GLHA Jr. Mustangs Purple at the Allman and came out flying. The Mustangs netminder frustrated the Stratford shooters, turning away great chances from Nathan Siebert and McGee and keeping the scoreboard locked at zeroes after one. The barrage of shots from Stratford players continued in the second stanza. This time they would not be denied as the period ended 3-0 Stratford with markers coming from Blair Stokes (McGregor and Ryan Gansevles), Gansevles (Zach Schultz and Siebert) and call up Colton Brenzil (Ben Medhurst). Stratford kept the pressure on in the third and kept the Mustangs out of our end for most of the period. Murphy and Dawson White had some great looks off face offs but just couldn’t slip one past the keeper or the posts. Liam Ollson added to the lead, taking the puck off a brilliant breakout pass from Hodgson and slipping one past the London keeper on a silky deke. Solid work from defensemen Rylan Hall and Ellis Schnurr helped Kara keep London off the board, securing the 4-0 win and shutout.
Happy Thanksgiving Hockey Families!
Next Action – TBD
Stratford Silver Stick Regional Qualifier - Nov. 5-7