The Watchung Hills Jr. Warriors Squirts Hockey headed into Monday night’s playoff game against the Swamprats determined and confident. The mood in the Twin Oaks locker room was energetic and it showed when the team got on the ice.
Tough defense led the way with Kayden Thursfield-Ritchie (Warren) playing strong in net. The Warriors scored the game’s first goal with eight minutes left in the first period. Sylie Sawale (Bridgewater) got the puck on defense and, seeing an opening, took it in to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead.
With just two minutes left in the first, Holden Flynn (Gillette) saw an opening and took it. With another Warriors breakaway, he scored on a tough Swamprats goalie giving the Warriors a 2-0 lead. These would be the only two goals the Warriors would see.
In the second period, the Swamprats scored one goal in to make it a 2-1 Warriors game. From then on it was all defense. With Carolyn Jasaitis (Warren), Sylie Sawale, and Jackson Fleming (Basking Ridge) on defense for the Warriors and Kayden Thursfield-Ritchie playing the game of his life the Swamprats couldn’t get through.
The Warriors finished the game with an outstanding 2-1 win and head to the Twin Oaks League championship game on Saturday, March 16 at 10:15 AM against the Colts.
Watchung Hills Jr. Warriors Hockey Club 