As the Golden Horseshoe League regular season winds down, the next two weeks will feature some critical games as teams battle for playoff positions.

The 2007/08 season has been one of the most competitive in the history of the GHL, with just a few points separating first to sixth place.

With only three games left in the season, the Stoney Creek Warriors will be in tough to improve much beyond their current sixth place standing. Regardless of where they finish, captain Mike Kavanagh said the team is ready to face anyone in the playoffs.

"No one wants to play us in the first round, I can assure you of that," said Kavanagh. "And we're not afraid to play anyone."

That level of confidence will be important as the Warriors wrap up their regular season schedule and await their eventual playoff opponent.

"We're a big team and we will wear down our opposition, especially down low on the cycle," said Kavanagh. "We're preparing better before games and everyone seems to be ready. This positive attitude is really showing up on ice."

Over the past six games, the Warriors have shown tremendous heart, earning seven of 12 points.

Stoney Creek scored crucial wins over Welland and Niagara Falls and showed tremendous character in battling from behind to send three games into overtime. While the Warriors ended up losing in sudden death, they earned a single point.

Last weekend, the Warriors were on the road for two games and came home with three of four points.

On Feb. 8 in Niagara Falls, the Warriors battled to a 3-2 win over the Canucks.

Jordan Gignac scored the only goal in the first period, with a power-play marker assisted by Jordan Winger and Mike Gibson.

The Canucks took the lead with two straight goals in the second period and took a 2-1 lead into the final 20 minutes.

However, the Warriors continued to press the Canucks and were rewarded with a power-play goal at the 5:34 mark.

Adam Montgomery notched his 22nd of the season, assisted by Gibson and Jake Lyons.

Marcus Ruberto scored the game winner at the 15:08 mark, assisted by Lyons.

Patrick Sullivan was solid in net for the Warriors, turning aside 43 of 45 shots for the win.

On Saturday night, Stoney Creek hit the QEW once again for a battle against the Fort Erie Meteors.

Like the Warriors, the Meteors are also battling for playoff position and sit in fifth place.

The Warriors were first on the scoresheet when Greg Bryl scored a power-play marker at the 6:44 mark, assisted by Montgomery and Kavanagh.

The back-and-forth game continued in the second period, with Fort Erie scoring the lone goal.

Tied at 1-1, the two teams treated fans to an exciting third period. The Meteors appeared to lock the game up when they scored two straight goals within 14 seconds, one at the 8:09 mark and another at the 8:23 mark.

But the Warriors battled back with two straight goals to tie the game and send it into a five-minute overtime period.

Andrew Dovey scored both goals for Stoney Creek.

Kavanagh and Montgomery assisted on Dovey's 27th goal of the season, while Gignac and Cayle Creen earned the helpers on Dovey's team-leading 28th marker.

Unfortunately, the Meteors scored the game winner just 1:22 seconds into overtime to seal the win.

"We came out strong against both teams," said Kavanagh. "We came home with three points on the road."

This week, the Warriors returned to Fort Erie for a rematch. Results of the game were not available at press time.

This weekend, Saturday, Feb. 16, the Warriors will play host to the first-place Thorold Blackhawks at Valley Park Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

The Warriors final game of the season is next Saturday, Feb. 23, when they welcome St. Catharines at Stoney Creek Arena.