U18 Warriors looking to build momentum heading into the playoffs

With the U18 regular season coming to a close, Stratford U18 AA Warriors head coach Riley Mathieson says it is crucial to finish the season on a high note and to reflect on the team's growth throughout the year.

“I think it's important. I also think that it just matters how we play once we get into the playoffs, regardless of which team we're gonna end up facing in the single a division. We're able to compete and beat anyone, as we've shown during this during this year, just depends on what team shows up if we get the same effort we did on Monday night there in the third period. I think we can be successful, as it showed in the results of that game,” Mathieson said.

“… One challenge we've faced this year is the third period. It was nice to see better results in that area. But yes, it also just shows that you can compete with anyone. Brantford, the top-10 AA team in Ontario, also beat the second seed, Milton Menace, in the Ajax tournament to advance to the finals. It shows that we can compete with anyone. It doesn't really matter where we're playing. It depends on the effort we bring.”

Speaking of reflection, team veterans Charlie Holloway and Nate Van Bakel expressed appreciation for being part of the team and the program, as well as for the team's mindset as the regular season enters its final stretch.

“It's a real honour. I've played here my entire life. I'm an 11-year vet, and it really means a lot to me to play on this team my entire life. A lot of great memories have been from this team, and it's really remarkable what the coaching staff and your teammates can do, just like how … it really brings everyone together. Everyone is really tight in our room and close together. It's a good environment in there,” Holloway said.

“So, we're on the bottom half of our schedule, but we're trying to be on the top half of single A, so that's where we're at right now. So, if we keep that up, we're going to be going into a good spot in the playoffs.”

“We've got a great team here. The boys have built a tight bond here, and coming into the playoffs, I think we're ready to go. But yeah, everyone's been good to each other, and we all go to war together every game, and we work really hard to try and complete that goal,” Van Bakel said.

“I think you're putting the work into practice. And right now we're in a good spot in the standings, but, you know, we could use those extra few points so we can capitalize here. In the next few games, we'll have a great spot for the playoffs, and then during the playoffs, we'll just keep hitting that hammer. And you know, see where things take us, but we just take things game by game.”

In their lone game of the week, the Warriors travelled to the Galt Arena in Cambridge to face the Hawks on Feb. 15.

In the first period, the Warriors opened the scoring at 3:23, but the Hawks responded with a goal less than a minute later. Stratford took the lead at 3:31 of the middle frame and doubled it at the halfway mark of the period. Late in the period, Cambridge came back with a pair of goals, tying the game within 12 seconds.

But the Warriors battled back with three unanswered goals early in the final frame, held off the Hawks' late push, and iced the game with 37 seconds left to win 7-4.

The Warriors conclude their regular season against the Woodstock Jr. Navy Vets on Feb. 21, with U18 Grad Day at the Rotary Complex. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Rink A.