The U15 Stratford Warriors sponsored by Fore Everyone Golf travelled to Grimsby Ontario this past weekend to participate in the Adam Keunen Memorial Tournament, hosted by the West Niagara Minor Hockey Association.
Stratford started the tournament facing off against the Niagara Falls Flyers for Game 1. Stratford found themselves chasing the game for the first two periods. Stratford put up 1 goal by the end of the second period, scored by Owen Bridges, but were down 2-1. Stratford regrouped and came into the third period strong. Rowan Bartlett found the back of the net on a power play to even the score at two. Casen deGraaf saw an opportunity in the dying seconds of the third period and skated the puck end to end and was able to net a backhand shot past the Niagara Falls netminder to secure the 3-2 win.
Game 2, the Stratford Warriors took on the Orangeville Flyers. Stratford dominated the Flyers, winning 3-0. Goal scorers were Bridges, Cole Hishon and Ty Wheeler. Goalie Cowyn Baker earned the shutout.
Saturday’s schedule had the Warriors waiting until the evening to play Game 3. Stratford took on the St Catharines Jr Falcons. Stratford found themselves down by 1 early in the first period. Stratford was able to get on the board by the end of the first, Wheeler capitalized on a rebound shot by linemate Colten Brenzil. The second period saw lots of back and forth action, but Stratford was able to edge over the Falcons with a breakaway goal by Bridges. Bridges used his speed again in the third on another breakaway, but was unable to beat the Falcons netminder. Tim Kraayenbrink followed and jumped on the rebound to bring the score 3-1, earning the Warriors a spot in the semi-finals.
The semi final game saw the Warriors verse the Clarington Toros. Stratford got on the board early with a goal by Brenzil, assisted by Wheeler. Second Warrior goal of the period was scored by Bridges, assisted by Mason Bauld. Period one ended 2-1. Brenzil netted his second of the game early in the second period, again assisted by linemate Wheeler. The Toros managed to score their 2nd goal of the game on a breakaway. deGraaf answered back, netting his second of the tournament to bring the Warriors up 4-2. Hishon was able to get on the score sheet in the third period, assisted by Brenzil. Brenzil blocked a shot late in the third with a Toros empty net, and was able to earn a hattrick, edging the Warriors up 6-2. The Warriors earned their spot in the finals.
In the final game of the tournament, the Warriors faced off against the Flamborough Sabres. The Warriors did not back down from the intimidating size of the Sabres, keeping the score 0-0 after two exciting back and forth periods of play. Stratford held on most of the third. With under 2 mins of play left in the game, the Sabres capitalized on an unlucky turnover to give them the 1-0 win over the Warriors. Stratford fans applauded the Warriors efforts in a well played tournament.
