Feb 07, 2023 | Scott Siebert | 194 views
U16 Stratford Warriors pocket 3 of 4 points - end weekend tied atop the Constellation AA Standings
The U16 Stratford Warriors, sponsored by the Stratford Fighting Irish of the WOSHL, hosted the St. Thomas Jr. Stars and travelled to Woodstock for Constellation round games over the weekend.
Brody Borszcz was given the nod Saturday night as the Warriors hosted the Jr. Stars from St. Thomas at the Rotary Complex. An early PP opportunity for the Warriors was flipped on it's head as the Stars intercepted a pass and barreled down on a 2-1 and buried the shorthanded goal to take the early lead. Two more power plays in the period had the Warriors knocking on the door and ringing posts, but nothing hit the back of the net. 1-0 St. Thomas after one period. The second period the Warriors fought off a frantic Stars PP to keep the score the same, Rylan Hall and Nathan Siebert helping out with some timely blocked shots. The home team would finally get on the board late in the period as Liam Ollson fired a shot and Logan Hallock jumped on the rebound and pushed it past the line, knotting the game at a goal a-piece entering the second intermission. Borszcz was tested early and often to start the third and held the visitors off the board. Some key faceoff wins and great PK work from Colin Schultz and Blair Stokes kept the Stars frustrated. A couple close chances late from McGee and Stokes were turned away by the St. Thomas netminder. Final score - Stratford 1, St. Thomas 1.
Sunday the Warriors hit the road to face the Woodstock Jr. Navy Vets. The Stratford bench was pretty bare with a few more players out of the lineup for this tilt. The home team got on the scoresheet first, taking advantage of a turnover and running it back down the ice for the opening goal. Stratford would answer a few minutes later as Griffin McGregor (A - Ryan Gansevles, Colin Schultz) blasted one past the Woodstock keeper to tie the game at 1. Stratford rang the post a few times but couldn't cash in on some great chances. 1-1 after one period. The second period the Warriors came close on a few great PP chances, but couldn't slip one past. A minor dustup and an injury further opened up more space on the Warrior bench. The Vets capitalized and pushed one past netminder Brody Borszcz to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission. Stratford took advantage of the rest and came out dominating play in the third. The frustrated home squad would take a penalty with 7 min. remaining and the Warriors took advantage quickly - Nathan Siebert cross ice to Carter Petrie who threaded the needle to find McGregor on the back porch for his second, tying the game at 2-2. Hands still hot, McGregor picked up a rebound off a Gansevles shot and roofed it from the painted area to put the Warriors up 3-2. Stratford kept the play in the Woodstock zone for the remainder of the period and held on for the win. Final score Stratford 3, Woodstock 2.
The three points put Stratford in a three way tie for the Constellation AA round lead with St. Thomas and London Jr. Knights Green.
Next action:
Thursday Feb. 9 - 8:30pm @ London Jr. Knights White - Western Fair Arena