Mar 08, 2023 | Scott Siebert | 197 views
Playoffs - U16 Warriors - Game 2 and 3 vs. Hamilton
The Warriors looked to keep the train rolling as they faced the Hamilton Huskies in games 2 and 3 over the past weekend.
In the friendly confines of the Chedoke Arena in Hamilton, goaltender Henry Tuer and the Warriors hit the ice flying and jumped out to an early lead as Zach Schultz crossed the blue and fired a rocket past the Huskie goaltender (A - Ryan McGee). Hamilton would answer back a few minutes later to tie the game at 1-1. Dylan Abel snatched a puck away on the shorthanded forecheck and quickly popped it in the back of the net to put the Warriors up 2-1 at the first intermission.
A few minutes into the third, Stratford kept the pressure on the home squad, Blair Stokes to Nathan Siebert who found Zach Schultz ready to unleash a clapper - top shelf and in to make it 3-1. Another quick answer from the Huskies off the center ice draw narrowed the margin back to a goal with just over 12 minutes left to play in the second. A big penalty kill and some clean defensive zone play kept the score the same after two periods.
The third period couldn't wind down fast enough for Stratford as the home squad upped the intensity and put the pressure on. With less than a minute to play and the Hamilton net empty, McGee potted one to seemingly ice the game at 4-2. Those pesky Huskies snatched a quick one once again to make it 4-3, but it was too little, too late. Final score - Stratford 4, Hamilton 3.
Game three the boys were back home at the cathedral on the Avon, Allman Arena, looking to close out the series. An early power play saw the Warriors move the puck well and kept the Hamilton PK on their toes. Colin Schultz moved the puck to Ryan McGee in the left dot who found Carter Petrie busting in from the blue to bury the opening goal and make it 1-0 Stratford. Hamilton would answer back on a PP of their own with just over two minutes to play in the first and it would remain that way at periods' end.
The second started with some tight play in the neutral zone and the Warriors were on the receiving end of a terrible bounce on a clearing pass that would find it's way over netminder Brody Borszcz skate and trickle in to put the visitors up 2-1. Stratford pressed for the equalizer and appeared to have it but a quick whistle negated the goal. With less than 5 minutes left in the second, the Warriors had the Huskies on the ropes, a mad scramble out front of the Hamilton net, bodies everywhere, one of the Hamilton skaters covered the puck in the crease. Penalty shot for Stratford. With the crowd silent in anticipation, Logan Hallock twisted his way into the slot and fired a rocket bar-down to tie the game at 2-2.
The third period saw both teams have some great opportunities on the power play but both goaltenders held strong. A five minute overtime brought the Warriors the best chance with a power play, but it would be only a chance. Final score - Stratford 2, Hamilton 2.
Stratford holds a 5-1 lead in the 6 point series with a chance to close it out on Thursday night - 8pm in Hamilton.