Recharged Warriors continue to rack up wins

By: Michael Willoughby

Coming off a fun-filled weekend trip to the United States and a week of preparation, the refocused Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors dug deep to beat the Sarnia Legionnaires, the Elmira Sugar Kings and the London Nationals, extending their win streak to five games last week.

After sweeping the London Nationals and Chatham Maroons over the weekend of Sept. 27 and 28, the Warriors headed to Michigan and Bowling Green for their annual U.S. trip at the beginning of October. They then returned to Stratford for a week of preparation before resuming the regular season.

On their final practice before the annual trip, Warriors head coach Dave Williams noted that the group has been practicing effectively, highlighting their hard work and ability to execute well during recent skates. Despite a break in the schedule, Williams expressed confidence in the team's current preparation levels following their recent wins.

“I think we've had some good practices here. They always come and really work hard and execute usually really well. So I thought we've had good skates. A little break in the schedule. We'll enjoy ourselves down in the United States this weekend at Michigan and Bowling Green,” Williams said.

“I think it'll be really good. I mean, maybe a little bit earlier than we're used to, but maybe given the start, it might be a good time for us to get away and have some time to bond and maybe come back to a really tough schedule Thanksgiving weekend. But yeah, I think it'd be good for us to get away together.”

Team captain Colin Slattery believed it was important to make the most of the retreat by enjoying the company and spending time away from the rink, given the team's overall age.

“It is a little older than we're used to. But considering the start we have, I think it's nice to go get away from the rink for a couple of days and just enjoy this company,” Slattery said.

Defencemen Aaron Green and Mateo Craievich echoed Slattery’s remarks.

“Yeah, it's just going to be fun. We're going to spend some quality time with the teammates, bond and hopefully bring our group a little closer and help us on the ice,” Green said.

“I think it'll be a good refresh. We got a couple of games under our belt, so I think a little trip with some team bonding should be very beneficial for our group. Come back really strong,” Craievich said.

The Warriors resumed regular season play at the homely comforts of William Allman Memorial Arena on Oct. 9.

Stratford got on the board with 3:09 remaining in the first period when Slattery scored his fourth goal of the season on an assist from Max Wildfong. Sixty-five seconds later, McQuen Haylock scored his third of the season, assisted by Declan McCotter and Ethan Bridges.

In the second period, which included 36 combined penalty minutes between the two sides, Stratford doubled their lead with goals from Grady Murphy on the power play at 7:16 and Haylock’s second of the night with 44 seconds in the middle frame.

Sarnia scored three unanswered goals in a span of 2:34 to cut the Stratford lead to 4-3, but Colten Brenzil scored his first of the season, with over seven minutes left, on assists from Wildfong and Coen Galbraith to secure the win for the Warriors.

Warriors’ netminder Gage Hurst made 24 saves for his first win of the season.

After spending the next day off, the Warriors went to Elmira for the matchup with the Sugar Kings on Oct. 11.

The game remained scoreless until 6:47, when Haylock continued his scoring streak with his third goal in two games, assisted by McCotter and Bridges. Elmira tied the game midway through the period, but Carter Brownlee scored his first career GOHL goal with assists from Slattery and Galbraith to give the Warriors the lead again. Elmira then equalized late in the middle frame.

Following a scoreless third period, the game went to overtime, where Galbraith scored on a rebound in front of the Elmira net for his first of the season, 43 seconds into the extra session, giving the visitors an additional point. Netminder Noah Bender stopped 32 shots in the victory.

Less than 24 hours later on Thanksgiving Day, the Warriors faced the London Nationals in a matinée game at the Western Fair Sports Centre.

The Nationals opened the scoring midway through the first period, but with 4:41 left in the period, Slattery continued his strong showing over the weekend with his fourth point in three games, giving Stratford a 1-1 tie after 20 minutes of play.

London retook the lead at 9:25 of the second period, but Wildfong’s third of the season from Coward put the Warriors back on level terms again over a minute later. On a power play late in the period, Haylock found open space in the London crease to score his sixth of the season, assisted by Slattery and Aaron Green, with 3:53 left, putting the Warriors ahead 3-2 heading into the final period. Haylock scored four goals over the weekend and six in the last five games.

Defenceman Jaxon Broda found paydirt on the man-advantage 2:26 into the third period, with assists from Grady Murphy and Slattery, to put Stratford ahead 4-2. The Warriors had three more power plays to put the game out of reach but were unable to capitalize.

Fortunately for the Warriors, despite a mid-period goal from London to cut the lead to a goal, the team dug deep to lock down the Nationals' attack, ultimately leading to their fifth-straight win with a 4-3 victory.

Postgame, Williams spoke about the team’s growth during the weekend and how they endured the toll of playing two road games in less than 24 hours.

“It's a tough weekend for us. You know, we had the opportunity last weekend to travel away, and that's a nice opportunity for our guys. But then the flip side of that is, you know, you come back and have to play Friday, Sunday and Monday, and Sunday night last night against a tough Elmira team to come in here and play, you know, another good team (London) on a short turnaround,” Williams said.

“So really happy for our group that, you know, we found a way to put a few games together here, and we just need to keep working hard and getting more consistent with what we need to do on a nightly basis.”

Averaging two points per game (two goals, four assists) over the holiday weekend, Slattery said the perseverance paid dividends for the team after the team started the season winless.

“It was a rough start, but we knew we had a lot more to give. We knew we had a good group, so it feels good to see the guys get rewarded,” Slattery said.

Hurst has posted a 2-0 record during the three-game streak, with a 3.00 goals-against average (GAA) and a 0.895 save percentage. The Royal Oak, Mich.-native credits a steady, focused mindset as essential to his success in those two victories.

“Just, I think hitting the reset button and staying level-headed during the games, not getting too high, not getting too low, and always hitting a reset in between whistles or whatever it is, and yeah, just staying even-minded throughout the whole game, through all the ups and downs,” Hurst said.

Since rejoining the Warriors from the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League, Wildfong has recorded a point in five of seven games, amassing seven points overall. The second-year forward discussed his impact on the team since returning, sharing his thoughts with the Times.

“Yeah, you know, just working hard, just trying to really compete out there and use my body in a lot of plays too. And a big one for me is just getting to the net more. I think that's how you get more points, and using my body and speed to get to the net,” Wildfong said.

At press time, Stratford is in fifth place in the GOHL’s Western Conference with 10 points and a 5-3 record. Focusing on next week’s games at the William Allman Memorial Arena against the St. Thomas Stars on Oct. 16 and Listowel Cyclones on Oct.17, Williams wants to emphasize the details and securing four more points.

“Yeah, we get ready for St. Thomas and Listowel, two teams that are off to good starts. And again, I think we just got to keep building consistency in our entire game, whether it's five-on-five or penalty kill or power play. I think it's just continuing to build some consistency because with that break too, you know, we're a little behind in games, and game action is really, really important,” Williams said.