Novice Reps win "B" Division in New Hamburg
In the first tournament of the year, the Novice Reps played some very exciting hockey in New Hamburg and came away with the "B" division title. The boys played hard all weekend and kept their fans on the edge of their seats. This first tournament gave the coaches a good idea as to where the team is currently and what it will take to get them to the next level.
In game 1, we played a very strong host team. Although we didnt get on the scoreboard, teh boys played hard and the game was much closer than the final scored would indicate. New Hamburg scored a goal in each of the first two periods to take a 2-0 lead heading into the 3rd. Listowel tried hard to keep the game close, however, New Hamburg scored two goals early in the third to put the came out of reach. Final score 4-0. This was the teams first loss of the year.
Game 2, was against another strong team from Mooretown. Again, the boys played a very hard game but just couldn't seem to put the puck in the net. A few team defensive lapses cost Listowel as Mooretown built up a 3-0 lead heading into the third. Listowel came out flying to start the final frame and finally the bubble was broken. Eric "E-Roc" Vander Eyk got Listowel on the board... finally by sliding the puck along the ice past the Mooretown netminder. Assists to Cullen Elg and Brett "Freshie" Reesor. On his next shift, Vander Eyk took a pass from Sam Town and wristed a high shot over the goalie to make it a 3-2 game. Sage Buchanan picked up the other assist. Listowel continued to press hard to tie the game. However, Mooretown would be the next team to score to make it 4-2. Vander Eyk scored his third goal of the game late in the period to make it 4-3 with another wrist shot. Assists to Keegan Long and Keaton Yungblut. That would be as close as Listowel would get as Mooretown held on for the win.
In game 3, the boys faced the Simoce Warriors. Sam Town would open the scoring on a rebound shot early in the first. Simcoe replied back with two goals of their own to make it 2-1. Riley Kuepfer tied it back up to end the period at 2-2. Midway through the second period, Sage Buchanan fired a low shot from the point through traffic and found the back of the net for a 3-2 score. Simcoe continued the see-saw battle and tied it up on their next shift. Keaton Yungblut took matters into his own hands and put the boys up 4-3 before the period was over. Simcoe tied the game once againby scoring 1:30 into the period. The local boys were not to be outdone as Brandon Wall fired home was to be the game winner. Kuepfer scored his second of the game a few minutes later. Town added yet another insurance goal with less than a minute remaining to seal the deal as the boys won by a score of 7-4. It was a full team effort, as the defense played a strong game in front of winning goalie Travis Bannerman. Assists went to Town (1), Keegan Long (2), Jake Zyta (1), Yungblut (1), Dietrich Westburg (2), Reesor (1), Vander Eyk (2) Connor McGrath (1), Kuepfer (1), Buchanan (2).
Game 4 was a rematch of Saturday's game against the Simcoe Warriors as everyone knew they would be looking for revenge against our boys. The first period was full of end to end action, however Simcoe managed to get on the board with 8.8 seconds left in the opening frame. The second period was scoreless as the game continued its back and forth action. Simcoe drew a tripping penalty midway through the final period. Could this be the oppportunity we needed. Listowel tried everything on their power play but just couldn't seem to put the puck past the Simcoe goalie. With time ticking down, Coach Johnson called a timeout to draw up a plan and give the boys a rest. With Bannerman on the bench, Listowel went full force with six attackers. They would be finlllay rewarded as there was a mad scramble in front of the Simoce net. Vander Eyk finally banged home the tying goal with just 22 seconds left. Assists to Yungblut and Kuepfer. A five-minute overtime solved nothing as both teams had chances but the goalies were too good on either side. A sudden death shootout would decide who took home the "B" trophy and who went home empty-handed. Simcoe brought out their captain to take their first shot and Listowel countered with sharp-shooter Riley Kuepfer. After receiving their final instructions from the referees, both shooters skated towards their opposition goalie. Simcoe would shoot first but Bannerman shut the door on a rising shot to the chest. At the other end of the ice, Kuepfer was picking up speed and rifled a high shot over the goalie into the top corner. Game over. Listowel wins. Listowel wins. Listowel wins. And there was much rejoicing on and off the ice.
After the game, Sage Buchanan accepted the trophy for the winning team and Riley Kuepfer picked up the MVP honors. This tournament was a good measuring stick for the rest of the season. The boys played hard all weekend and should be proud of themselves. Next up, a couple of weekend games against Kincardine and Saugeen Shores before another tournament in Strathroy the weekend following.
