U18 Warriors outlast Woodstock on Seniors Day, playoffs announced

On Feb. 21, the Stratford U18 AA Warriors recognized nine graduating members prior to their game against the Woodstock Jr. Navy Vets on Seniors Day at the Stratford Rotary Complex.

Accompanied by the U8 Warriors, Owen Blain, Charlie Halloway, Owen Chambers, Josh Goodhue, Taten Mikel, Hudson Gordon, Cameron Parsons, Riley Vyse and Rylan DeBoeck were recognized during the ceremony.

Stratford aimed to end the regular season on a high note after their 10-0 blowout defeat to the Kitchener Jr. Rangers back on Feb. 18 at the Rotary Complex.

Following a scoreless and reserved first period, Woodstock took a 1-0 lead 4:07 into the second period. Stratford’s special teams were very busy in the middle frame, and the Warriors failed to capitalize on three powerplay opportunities.

But Stratford managed to break through in the final frame. Caden Ollson tied the game 2:06 into the period from Mikel and Lucas Pickard. Following their unsuccessful abbreviated powerplay, Stratford took the lead when Blain scored midway through the final frame from Parsons and Nate Van Bakel.

Halloway’s goal at 4:06, assisted by Goodhue and Chambers, put the Warriors ahead 3-1. Ollson secured the victory for the home team with his second goal of the game on an empty net. The game saw three Woodstock players receive game misconducts and a total of 11 penalties from both teams, all happening in the final two periods.

Netminder Vyse gets the win for the Warriors.

During the postgame interview with the Times, Stratford head coach Riley Mathieson talked about the result and what the day meant for the program as the team heads towards the playoffs.

“It was an exciting night for our older players, a little ceremony beforehand to send them off for their last regular season game and home game, and it couldn't have been finished in any better fashion than it was. We seem to rise to the big occasions when called upon, whether in a tournament or in other important games along the way this year,” Mathieson said.

“The effort today was evidence of that consistency, and hopefully it continues through the playoffs. It would have been nice to get some momentum started a little bit earlier this month, and leading up to the playoffs. But better late than never, and I'll take it now. Hopefully it continues next week as we start our playoff series against the Knights.”

The Warriors will compete against the London White Jr. Knights in the ALLIANCE AA-A Bristol Playdowns semi-finals on Feb. 28 at 7:45 p.m. in Rink B at the Stratford Rotary Complex. The series is a best-of-three to five, with the Warriors hosting games one, three, and, if needed, game five.

ALLIANCE AA-A Bristol Playdowns semifinals – (2) Stratford Warriors vs. (3) London Jr. Knights White

Game one: London vs. Stratford (Rotary Complex – Rink B) Feb. 28, 7:45 p.m.

Game two: Stratford vs. London (Western Fair Sports Centre – Chik-fil-a Rink) March 2, 8:15 p.m.

Game three: London vs. Stratford (Rotary Complex – Rink A) March 5, 9 p.m.

Game four: Stratford vs. London (Earl Nichols Arena) March 6, 8 p.m., if needed

Game five: London vs. Stratford (William Allman Memorial Arena) March 8, 5 p.m., if needed

Game six: Stratford vs. London (Western Fair Sports Centre – Chik-fil-a Rink) March 9, 8:15 p.m., if needed