It's only two games, but the Stoney Creek Warriors are not happy with their recent losing skid and are chomping at the bit to get back to their winning ways.

With three inter-conference games last week, the Warriors had hoped to increase their lead a top the Golden Horseshoe League.

After starting off with a 4-2 win over Lasalle from the Western loop, the Warriors dropped two straight 2-1 decisions - one to Waterloo of the Midwestern loop and another to St. Marys of the Western loop - and have fallen out of top spot in the GHL for the first time since the beginning of the season.

"It's a different style of hockey in the Western and Midwestern Leagues," said general manager Dave Hill. "It's very physical, and we were battered around the rink all weekend. We didn't know how to respond."

Hill wasn't critical of the style of play his charges were faced with in their inter-conference battles. On the contrary, he was complimentary.

"I like that style, the bang and crash," he said. "It was physical domination and we were forced into bad decisions."

The weekend games were part of showcase tournament hosted by the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Teams from all three loops converged on St. Catharines for a expose of junior hockey talent played over two days. All games count in the regular season standings. GHL teams only managed five wins versus 11 losses against teams from the Midwestern and Western leagues.

The Warriors kicked off the showcase weekend early Saturday morning (Oct. 11) against the Waterloo Siskins.

Waterloo jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period and held on for the victory.

Mitchell Merante, from Jordan Gignac and Mike Gibson, managed to close the gap to 2-1 early in the second, but defence and goaltending ruled the remaining 25 minutes.

Colton Sauer took the loss in net, turning away 33 of 35 shots. Stoney Creek only managed 23 shots against the Waterloo netminder.

On Sunday, Oct. 12, the Warriors faced off against St. Marys.

After a scoreless first period, the Lincolns took a 1-0 lead at the six minute mark of the second period.

Again, defence and goaltending were the story of this game, as the two teams exchanged powerplay goals in the final period for a 2-1 final.

Joel Steeves notched the lone Stoney Creek goal, assisted by Greg Gibson.

Dylan Ellis took the loss in net, facing a total of 40 shots. The Warriors offence stuttered once again, only managing 20 shots on net.

"We have to go back to basics, starting from the d-zone and work out," said Hill. "Player for player, we are a more talented team than what we faced. We just had trouble converting to that style of play. They took our set up away and our passing lanes. They were all over us from one end of the arena to the other. The officiating from the Western and Midwestern Leagues was also effective in allowing this style of play. Instead of two-and-a-half hour games, we were done in two hours. In our league there are too many penalties."

Warriors defeat Lasalle

Stoney Creek did pick up a win earlier in the week, defeating the Lasalle Vipers 4-2 on October 8.

The Warriors jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the opening period on goals by Steeves and Gignac. Picking up assists were Marcus Ruberto, Mike Gibson, Jake Guindon and Jeff Leiast.

Lasalle stormed back to tie the game at the 6:26 mark of the second period, and the game remained tied heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation.

Greg Gibson scored what proved to be the winning goal on the powerplay at the 12:19 mark. Jim Franks and Mike McNamara earned the helpers.

Guindon sealed the game with an empty net goal in the dying seconds to lift Stoney Creek to a 4-2 win. Assisting on the goal were Merante and Gignac.

After going 1-2 last week, the Warriors dropped one point behind Niagara Falls in the GHL standings, with one game in hand.

"We need to regroup, and re-enforce zone coverages," said Hill. "This is Ric (coach Ric Nattress') time and opportunity to build on our experiences."

Stoney Creek has a busy weekend schedule, and could regain top spot.

Last night (Oct. 16), Stoney Creek travelled to Wheatfield. Results were not available at press time.

Tonight, the Warriors are on the road again to face the Port Colborne Pirates.

On Saturday night, Stoney Creek returns home after a two week absence to face the Niagara Falls Canucks at Valley Park Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

"Our guys will rise to the occasion," said Hill. "I'm confident they will answer the call."