U16 Stratford Warriors 1-1 on weekend homestand.
The U16 Warriors had a rare two game homestand this past
weekend after a mid-week road trip to London was cancelled due to weather.
Saturday January 28 at the Rotary Complex the Warriors took on the Waterloo Wolves who were looking for redemption after losing their home tournament to Stratford back in the fall.
The Warriors got on the board first, Ryan Gansevles picked the pocket of the Wolves D and walked in untouched and flipped one over the line. Waterloo would answer back quickly on their first shot of the game making it 1-1. Another Waterloo turnover saw Logan Hallock knock in a pass from Liam Ollson putting the Warriors up 2-1 after less than 5 minutes of action. Waterloo countered quickly again, working hard along the boards and winning battles to tie the score 2-2. As time wound down in what was a wild first period, the Warriors pushed and came through with the go-ahead goal, Gansevles’ second of the game (A-Petrie, McGee) to put the Warriors up 3-2 after the first period of play.
The second saw both teams with multiple opportunities throughout. Stratford rung a pair of posts and a crossbar but came up empty. Waterloo evened the score 5 minutes into the period and that’s the way it would stay as the teams left the ice for the flood.
Waterloo struck early in the third to go up 4-3. More great chances went unrewarded for the home team in the third and a late PP goal by Waterloo sealed the game. Final score Waterloo 5, Stratford 3.
Sunday the boys found themselves back home at the William Allman Arena hosting first place London Jr. Knights Green. Stratford struck first as Carter Petrie picked up a loose puck and fired it home past the London keeper. The Knights responded quickly getting a lucky bounce out front of keeper Henry Tuer and tying the game up at a goal apiece. Blair Stokes tipped in a shot from Carter Petrie (A-Hall) on the man advantage to put Stratford up 2-1. London again responded quickly with two unanswered goals to take a 3-2 advantage heading into the first intermission. The visitors took advantage of a Stratford line change and would go up 4-2 early in the second which seemed to awaken the Warrior players. Zach Shultz fired a shot on the PP from the blue line and Colin Schultz tipped it in – 4-3 London. Off the ensuing draw, Logan Hallock sent a pass over to Liam Ollson who rifled one past the London goaltender to tie the game 4-4. After the second intermission it was all Stratford as they peppered the Knights goalie with shot after shot. After a few close calls on the PP, the Warriors found themselves on a 4 on 3 PP and finally notched the go ahead goal – Nathan Siebert across the ice to Carter Petrie who found Ryan McGee at home on the back porch to knock it home. The Warriors fought off a few close calls in front of their net and kept things relatively quiet throughout the rest of the period to close it off. Final score – Stratford 5, London 4.
Next Action:
Saturday Feb. 4 – 7pm at Rotary Complex vs. St. Thomas
Sunday Feb. 5 – 5:45pm in Woodstock