Please note that we have changed the departure time for the bus for our next trip to Sarnia on December 14th. The bus will now depart at 4:30pm.  Ron

more [+]

Please note that we have changed the departure time for our trip on the 26th of October to Sarnia. We will now depart at 4:30 pm sharp. Please take carefull note of this change. We will try this travel time and adjust accordingly for future trips as needed. Thanks  Ron

more [+]

Hello again everyone.  First of all I want to thank Jamie and Karen Pletsch for taking over the position of Parent representative.  It isn't an easy job to do but I believe we have the right people for the job.

As their first task as Parent reps they have gone to the trouble of making up the drink and snack schedule for our bus trips.  This has been added to the bus schedule page of the web site.

A few other items for everyone to take note of.  We have been excussed from the SMHA chip drive this weekend so that we can play our exhibition game this Saturday.  We are playing against Kitchener at 12 pm at the St.Clements Arena.  Because it is an exhibition game there will be no bus.   To find the arena you can look it up at the arena maps on the link page.

The team Emergency Plan has now been added.  Just follow the link. 

more [+]

The Crabby Joe's Minor Bantam MD team continued their strong early season play despite a 4-1 loss to London SSE 2 on Warriors day. The seemingly one sided score did not reflect a very closely played game which included an empty net marker. Stratford's lone goal was scored by Jacob Smith unassisted. The team was supported by the strong play of Dayton Cooper and Noah Bolger.

more [+]

Please take note of the updated schedule posted.  In particular Saturday October 17 which is chip drive day.  We have also been invited to play an exhibition game against Kitchener Red at the St. Clement's arena, about a 45 min drive.  I had to pull a few strings with the organizers of the chip drive to ensure we would have a short sales route.  They are in the same frame of mind as I am which is any extra opportunity that the players have to be on the ice should be taken advantage of. 

If this extra game poses a problem for anyone regarding rides or being available please contact me or you can post in the "need a ride" forum.  We will make sure everyone gets there.

Please note that our practicethat evening will still be on.  It offers a great opportunity to go over any mistakes while they are still fresh.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Steve 

more [+]

Minor Bantam MD

Crabby Joe's Minor Bantam MD team played to a 5-0 loss against a strong London SSE 1 squad. Stratford played a hard physical game lead by an excellent two way game from Dan Deighten and a strong performance in goal by Chris Pletsch.

more [+]

Well here we are, three games into the schedule with a 2-1 record.  As a coach I can't complain too much about that, escpecially after only having one true practice.  I have to give the boys credit, they haven't given up in a game yet.  We really saw that October 2 against North London.  People may not agree with me but I feel they fought hard all the way to the end even in our 5-0 loss to SSE 1, I witnessed the electricity on the bench.  I'm excited about what i see from this team this year.  The atmosphere is loose and the boys seem to already be on the same page which makes our jobs as coaches a little bit simpler.

Our next test will be London SSE 2 on Warrior day, October 10.  we're still missing a few pieces of the puzzle with one player away for the weekend but we're getting a veteran back this weekend and our injured player is healing nicely.  Things are looking up.

Just a few reminders:

Warrior Day, October 10, at arena by 3:00 pm (no later!!)

Parents meeting October 13, 7:15 at the complex, followed by a practice at 8:15.  Boys should be ready to hit the ice by 8:10 but should be in the complex for the meeting.

Away game at Nichols arena October 15 agaonst SSE 1 (I'm in the mood for spoiling their early season). Bus schedule is posted for that

October 17 is the annual chip drive.  Players are to be at the complex by 8:30 am.  The boys can take comfort in the fact that as Minor Bantams this is the last year they are required to take part but it's always a fun morning for all involved.

Thanks everyone for all your support and well wishes so far.  We're a different team this year and we're aiming high.

Steve

more [+]

The Crabby Joe's Minor Bantam MD team had a strong start to their season opening with a win and a loss. On Friday night the Stratford team was on the short end of a hard fought 6-5 loss to London North. The first period found the Stratford team down by 2 goals yearly as they fought hard to find their legs in their first period of the season. In the second period Stratford began to play a strong physical game which paid off with Drew Goebel scoring the opening goal assisted by Mark Schmidt. Just 24 seconds later Darcy Dinsmore scored to tie the game with Jacob Smith assisting. London again opened up a 2 goal lead in the period but the gap was closed when Keaton Foster scored with Goebel assisting. The home London team started out strong in the third period pulling away with another 2 goals but a determined Stratford team continued to fight back. Ryan Bushfield scored on a point shot with Smith and Goebel assisting and then Smith put the score within one on a great individual unassisted effort. Jacob Kompf and Josh Morris had strong games on defense.

On Saturday Crabby Joe's notched their first win of the season in Woodstock. The team got off to a good start even before hitting the ice. Prior to the game they received a surprise visit to the dressing room from Jay Heinbuck the head scout of the Pittsburg Penguins and former Stratford Culliton. Mr. Heinbuck stopped in to show the boys his 2009 Stanley Cup ring that was presented to him just the night before in Pittsburg. The visit had the right effect on the boys as they skated to a hard fought 2-1 win. Stratford's scoring was opened by Pee wee call up Evan Metelski with assists going to Jacob Smith and Josh Morris. Stratford's second goal the winner was scored by Smith assisted by Metelski and Tyler Brooks. The game saw strong defensive play by Cullen McDonnell and Ryan Bushfield with a strong performance in goal from Scott Herbert.

more [+]