Novice Reps Remain Undefeated in Weekend League Action
The Novice Reps played catch-up in both weekend games and came away with 3 of a possible 4 pts.
On Saturday, the boys travelled to Kincardine for a rematch against the Kinucks. (Actually one player ended up in Tiverton, but thats another story.) After getting shutout in the first game, Kincardine was determined not to let that happen again. After an opening minute breakaway and a great save by Travis Bannerman, the Kinucks opened the scoring 3 minutes into the game. The Listowel boys would answer that with a beautiful rebound gaol by Brandon Wall. Hard-working assists go to Connor McGrath and Riley Kuepfer. Late in the period, with 10 seconds remaining, Listowel went ahead on a wrap-around goal By Eric Vander Eyk after the initial shot by Keegan Long. There was no scoring in the third period but not for the lack of trying. It was a fine defensive effort by all four defence (Buchanan, Westburg, Yungblut and Zyta). The forwards were coming back to help out as well. Bannerman shut the door on any further Kinuck goals and the boys left with a 2-1 victory. On Sunday, Saugeen Shores came to town looking for their first win of the year. Seth Reading tasted his first action in net for the local home team. Before our boys could say game on, the visitors wasted no time and scored 9 seconds into the game. They added a second goal late in the period to take a 2-0 lead. Our boys woke up in the second when Blair "Speedy" Johnson broke in alone to open the scoring for Listowel scoring an unassisted, short-handed goal. Way to go Blair !!. Johnson would add a second goal from Cullen Elg and Brett Reesor later in ther period after Saugeen Shores had added 2 goals to their lead to make the score 4-2 for the visitors after 2 periods. The referees would take centre stage in the second half of the game as the local boys found themselves in some penalty trouble. While down 2 men early in the third, Riley Kuepfer scored a wonderful goal with an assist from Keaton Yungblut to make the score 4-3. Saugeen would again take a 2 goal lead halfway through the final frame to make the score 5-3. With less than two minutes remaining, Yungblut took matters into his own hands and scored an unassisted goal to close the gap to 5-4. With the goalie pulled for an extra attacker, the boys were trying everything to put the puck in the net. Finally, with 14 seconds left in the game, Blair Johnson, banged home the tying goal with assists to Vander Eyk and Yungblut. It wasn't necessarily a weekend of great hockey, but the boys showed that they will not give up easily when behind and it was a full team effort to get the win and tie to remain undefeated in league action. Next weekend finds the team in Strathroy for their second tournament of the year. Good luck to all !!
