Warriors progressing in time for next season

The Stratford Warriors celebrate a goal during their 4-1 preseason win on Aug. 29 against the St. Marys Lincolns.

After winning the Eli Palfreyman tournament, the Stratford Hunter Steel Warriors had a great first week of GOJHL preseason with a 2-1 record. 

Warriors Head Coach Dave Williams was pleased with the performances from the team in the tournament and the preseason.

"I think we've been happy with our progress so far that tournament. Specifically, I thought we started a little slow against Pittsburgh in game one, but we only had two practices prior to going and some of the teams that we played definitely been together longer than we had the opportunity," Williams said. 

"But throughout the tournament, I thought we got better with each game, got a little cleaner, a little more consistent, and I mean, that's all you're really looking for in the preseason – is to try and get better each time you're on the ice, whether you're practicing or playing. And I thought we accomplished that."

Williams also saw the team establish chemistry that grew during the tournament and the preseason, and hopes the team sustains that chemistry as the season approaches in under two weeks.

"We've had another week since then. And same thing, I think we're getting better each time we're on the ice. I think just the familiarity of the group spending time together, I think, is also really important," Williams said. 

"Even though we've got a decent number of returning guys, I think … them having the opportunity to spend time and getting some continuity together, I think that's really important." 

The Warriors began their preseason play on Aug. 26 as they hosted the Plymouth Victory Honda at the Rotary Complex. Right from the opening faceoff, the Warriors dominated the visitors in all phases in a 13-1 win.

In a game where a total of nine players scored a goal for Stratford, Jonas Schmidt led the team with four goals and four assists, while Rhyse Brown registered two goals and four assists. Stratford starting goaltender Connor Davis had a quiet night with nine saves in two periods of shutout play and earned the win. Kobe Nadalin replaced Davis in goal for the third period and stopped six of seven Plymouth shots.

In front of a packed crowd at the Rotary Complex, the Warriors defeated their arch-rival St. Marys Lincolns 4-1 on Aug. 29. Schmidt picked up his fifth and sixth goals of the preseason in the first period.

St. Marys responded with a goal of their own early in the second period, but Colin Slattery and Max Wildfong both scored in the third period to put the game out of reach. 

Gage Hurst got the start in goal for the Warriors, stopped 10 of 11 shots through over thirty minutes of game time and was credited with the win. Connor Davis came in relief and stopped all nine shots he faced.

On Aug. 30, the Warriors travelled to St. Marys to face the Lincolns in their final road game of the preseason. 

Jack McGurn got the Warriors on the board late in the first period, and then Ty Wheeler scored midway through the second period to extend the Stratford lead to 2-0. 

The Lincolns battled back in the third period with two goals in less than two minutes to tie the game, but Kade Kucan gave the visitors their second lead of the game thirty seconds after the second Lincolns goal.

Unfortunately, the Warriors couldn't hold the lead as St Marys rallied back late and took the lead in the closing seconds, giving the Warriors their first loss of the preseason. 

Davis got the start between the pipes and played over 29 minutes of another shutout hockey before Hurst relieved Davis at the 9:17 mark of the middle frame.

For the upcoming season, Williams shared what fans can expect from the team. 

"I think we obviously want to be a really competitive group. I think we have a very tough division. I think there's lots of parity in our side, at least based on the last number of years, and more specifically, last year, I think our division was very competitive," Williams said.

"… Again, we just want to play a very competitive game every time we come to the rink and just try and consistently have good habits and details."

Under the stewardship of Williams, the Warriors have been a model of consistency. Since becoming the head coach of the team in the 2015-2016 season, Williams has led Stratford to a Midwestern Conference championship in 2022-2023, and the team has finished no lower than sixth in his nine-plus seasons behind the bench.

With the team nearly assembled for the long season ahead, Williams expects the team to contend for the Sutherland Cup. He acknowledges the challenging task ahead to secure the elusive title.

"I think that's always the goal, right? When you start off a season, everybody is starting their year with the mindset that they're there to compete for a championship," Williams said. 

"We’ve had a very good track record and – being a very competitive team – I think the big thing is always getting through the league the first time to see. But I think with the returning guys we have and the new bodies we've been able to add, I think we should be a very competitive team this coming season."

The Warriors conclude their preseason schedule on Sept. 6 with the rematch of the Eli Palfreyman Tournament final against the St. Andrew's College Saints at the William Allman Memorial Arena.