It was a night to remember in Anchortown.
More than 1,000 fans packed the Reeves Community Complex on Saturday night as the Woodstock Navy Vets played their first home game as members of the Greater Ontario Hockey League, defeating the Stratford Warriors 5-3.
The atmosphere inside Reeves provided a fitting backdrop for a milestone night in the organization’s 60th season, and the Navy Vets responded with a hard-fought effort from start to finish.
Shoup Opens the Scoring
The Vets struck first in the opening period when Cole Shoup found the back of the net to give Woodstock an early 1-0 advantage.
Stratford answered later in the period, sending the teams into the first intermission tied 1-1.
The Warriors took their first lead of the night early in the second period, but Woodstock continued to battle.
Late in the frame, Keaton Ferras delivered the equalizer, sending the teams to the dressing rooms tied 2-2 after 40 minutes.
Vets Take Control in the Third
Woodstock broke the game open with a pair of goals less than a minute apart approximately five minutes into the third period.
Joshua Jodoin started the surge, converting from the slot to put the Navy Vets back in front 3-2.
Moments later, Kyle Arthur broke loose on a breakaway and made no mistake, giving Woodstock a 4-2 advantage and bringing the crowd at Reeves to its feet.
Stratford continued to press and eventually cut the lead to 4-3 with a power-play goal, setting up a tense finish.
The Warriors pushed for the equalizer, but the Navy Vets held their ground before Colby Branton found the empty net late to put the game out of reach and secure the 5-3 victory.
Kubelka Strong Again
Ian Kubelka made the start in goal for the Navy Vets and once again delivered a strong performance.
Kubelka was tested throughout the night and made several important saves, giving Woodstock an opportunity to stay in the game and ultimately come away with the victory.
It was another composed performance from the 2009-born Woodstock goaltender to begin the season.
A Special Night in Anchortown
While the two points were important, Saturday night represented much more for the organization.
More than 1,000 fans came through the doors at Reeves to welcome the Navy Vets to the GOHL and help celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in Woodstock junior hockey.
The organization would like to sincerely thank our fans, sponsors, volunteers and the entire Woodstock community for the tremendous support surrounding the Home Opener.
We would also like to thank Tim Simmons and the Greater Ontario Hockey League for joining us and helping celebrate this milestone in Navy Vets history.
A special thank you also goes to 519 Sports Online for their excellent coverage of the evening and their continued support of local junior hockey.
For 60 seasons, the Navy Vets have been fortunate to call Woodstock home. Saturday night was another reminder of just how special that relationship continues to be.
The first GOHL game at Reeves Community Complex is officially in the books.
And it ended with a Navy Vets win.
Woodstock 5 — Stratford 3.
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