Winning is addictive. And in a season where the Stoney Creek Warriors had been victorious eight straight times, it's not hard to understand how losing your first game could elicit some withdrawal symptoms.

"You can't win 52 games," said Warriors star forward Jordan Gignac. "When you're at the top, everyone wants to knock you down. Losing helps us appreciate that we need to get better."

The black and gold experienced their first defeat of the season October 2, losing 7-4 on home ice versus the Fort Erie Meteors.

The score was tied 2-2 after 20 minutes, with Mitch Merante and Marcus Ruberto finding the net for Stoney Creek. Gignac and Jason Popek picked up assists.

The Meteors scored the only goals in the second period, and took a 4-2 lead into the final 20 minutes of regulation time.

The Meteors scored the winning goal early in the third, and despite a valiant comeback effort, Stoney Creek came up short at the end of 60 minutes. Gignac and Jeff Leiast did close the gap to 5-4 at the 9:05 mark, but Fort Erie added a powerplay marker and an empty-net goal to round out the scoring. Joel Steeves, Popek and Merante picked up assists.

Dylan Ellis picked up his first loss of the season.

"It was due," said general manager Dave Hill. "We were playing fairly arrogant, and thought we were unbeatable. For all the wrong reasons, the loss is a good thing. We needed that experience, and come back to earth."

The Warriors were able to have a little payback with the Meteors two nights later, as the two teams met again in Fort Erie. This time, Stoney Creek came away with a a hard fought 6-5 win to improve to 9-1 on the season.

The Warriors never sacrificed the lead in this game, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead just over two minutes into the first period on goals by Gignac and 16-year-old sensation Mike Cristou. Leiast, Popek, Shawn Dunsmuir and Richard Recchia picked up assists.

The first period was full of scoring, and ended with the Warriors leading 4-3. Merante and Popek also found the net in the first period, with assists to Gignac, Peter Mrksic and Jake Guindon.

Early in the second period, Fort Erie tied the game, but Stoney Creek responded with two straight goals to take a 6-4 lead. Cristou scored his second of the night at the 8:24 mark, assisted by Leiast and Mrksic.

Then it was Merante, with his second of the night at the 17:08 mark, assisted by Gignac and Mrksic.

Fort Erie closed the gap to 6-5 with a third period goal but that was as close as they would come.

Colton Sauer earned the win to remain undefeated on the season.

What is concerning, however, is that despite the Warriors impressive start to the season, they sit as the most penalized team in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

In Fort Erie Oct. 4, Stoney Creek was penalized almost double the Meteors.

"It's a challenge to stay composed," said Hill. "We have to remain positive. Personally, I challenge a lot of calls we are getting, and overall, the Golden Horseshoe League as a whole in the most penalized division in the GOJHL."

Despite the adversity, Hill said it's up to the Warriors to get better and become a more disciplined team.

Gignac agreed, and said the team needs to continue coming together and following the lead of head coach Ric Nattress.

"I like his systems and his style," said Gignac. "He puts a lot of emphasis on defensive play. We haven't been playing the way our coach wants us to the past few games. We've been fortunate to sneak away with a few wins."

This week, the Warriors got a big taste of the new interlocking schedule with the Midwestern and Western Conferences. On Oct. 8, Stoney Creek travelled to Lasalle to take on the Vipers, while this weekend they will participate in the first ever GOJHL Showcase Weekend, where they will play regular season games against Waterloo and St. Marys.

Hundreds of NCAA scouts are expected to be in attendance at the Showcase Weekend, which will be played in St. Catharines.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for our players," said Hill. "Our players will have a chance to get some exposure."

Gignac, who currently sits in fourth overall in GOJHL scoring with 12 goals and 11 assists, said he is looking forward to the opportunity.

"Everyone will be stepping up their game," said the 19-year-old McMaster student, who is playing in his third season with the Warriors. "I would like to go the NCAA route, so this is a great chance for me."