Warriors cap unbeaten season with NDHL title

The Wingate/Elite Hockey Atom AA Warriors captured the Nipissing District Hockey League Peewee Tier II Championship on Sunday afternoon with a hard fought 5-3 win over the Astorville Vipers.

The Warriors entered the playoff tournament licking their wounds after losing the NOHA Championship Game to the top ranked team in the province, the Soo Greyhounds, by a 4-3 count in Sudbury two weekends ago. In the NDHL round robin portion, the Warriors won tough games against the Powassan Hawks, the Astorville Peewee Vipers and the Peewee Ice Boltz before meeting the Atom Vipers on Saturday afternoon in a preview to Sunday’s final. The Warriors got goals from Riley Gravelle, Gianni Chaput, Jake Grasser and two from playoff leading scorer Kurtis McLuhan to win 5-1 with the stellar goaltending of Eric Venditti giving the Warriors the pivotal last line change in Sunday’s final.

In the re-match, the Vipers were determined to put pressure on the Warriors defense and the strategy was effective in limiting the Warriors’ chances through the first half of the game. Warriors’ centres, Troy McLuhan, Braeden Villeneuve and Mickey George countered with tight checking on the high scoring Viper forwards to keep the score tied 1-1 after the first period.

In the later stages of the second period, the defense, led by Adam Grannary, Bob Buckley and Jon Rosien started using their strong skating skills to beat the Vipers’ forecheck and the result was three quick goals by Braiden Coughlin, George and Travis Budge to send the Warriors to the second intermission with a commanding 4-1 lead.

The Vipers, relying on their season-long tournament successes, came out flying in the third with a last effort to take command of the game. Strong play down low by Lucas Nevrencan and Troy Charman frustrated the Vipers as they crashed the net. A spectacular save by Adam Stayzer off of a Viper deflection and some blocked shots by Tyler Winrow gave the Warriors renewed confidence and the NDHL Championship.

The win capped an undefeated season for the Warriors who went 27-0-2 in their League and Playoff games.

“All coaches use the cliché that they got contributions from everyone. But the real magic for this team is that each player will look around the dressing room or down the bench and whomever he spots, he’ll think, ‘We couldn’t do it without him!’ During games, in practice and at Elite Hockey, the players have adopted this amazing mindset. It has truly been our signature all season long," said Coach Chris Winrow.

Team Members, Front to Back: Eric Venditti, Adam Stayzer, Lucas Nevrencan, Riley Gravelle, Kurtis McLuhan, Mickey George, Jake Grasser, Troy McLuhan, Troy Charman, Braeden Villeneuve, Braiden Coughlin, Jon Rosien, Bob Buckley, Tyler Winrow, Adam Grannary, Travis Budge, Gianni Chaput.

Coaches: Ron Gravelle, David Grannary, Ken Coughlin and Chris Winrow.

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