The Stoney Creek Warriors can thank the Golden Horseshoe League schedule creator for a light week.

With only one game last weekend, the Warriors were granted some much needed reprieve for key injuries to heal.

The team has been decimated recently, with nine players sitting in the stands with various ailments.

The on-ice result hasn't been pretty, with the Warriors losing five straight games at home and six of their last nine.

"It's not fun sitting in the stands watching the team struggle," said captain Mike Kavanagh, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since Oct. 2. "We haven't done well at all recently."

Kavanagh, who despite missing nine games still sits in second in scoring on the team, said he is hopeful for a return to the ice this weekend.

"If I get the go ahead from the specialist, I'll be back," said the 20-year-old Stoney Creek native. "The knee is feeling good and I've got the strength back. I've never had a problem with my knee before, it was just a really awkward injury."

The Warriors lost their only game of the weekend, a 5-3 defeat on home ice to the St. Catharines Falcons Nov. 3.

Despite jumping out to a 2-1 lead in the first period, the Falcons proved too much for the Warriors and dominated the third period with two unanswered goals.

The teams were tied at 3-3 after 40 minutes.

"There was way too much free-wheeling going on," said assistant coach Dave Hill. "We had some players that were very selfish. We've had some conversations with certain key players that should be producing more. We let them know that we expect more from them."

Scoring for Stoney Creek were Sean Murray, Adam Montgomery and Riley Steeves.

Chris Stevenson led the Falcons with a hat trick.

Garrett Driscoll took the loss in net.

"There's a lot of reasons why we are struggling right now," said Kavanagh. "We lost our focus for a while and the injuries have hurt. We've just had too many guys out of the line-up and that hurts the depth of our team."

The good news is Kavanagh, as well as Greg Bryl and Jordan Poole, are expected to return to the fold in time for a three-game stint this weekend.

The Warriors kicked off a busy schedule with a game against Fort Erie last night (Thursday, Nov. 8). Results were unavailable at press time.

Tonight, Stoney Creek heads to St. Catharines for a return battle with the Falcons.

Tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 10), the Warriors will pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served the cause of freedom with a special We Remember game against the Wheatfield Blades. Game time at Valley Park Arena is 7:30 p.m.