Tough Weekend in Strathroy
The Novice Reps played in their second tournament of the year in Strathroy this past weekend. The team faced some very tough competition from some larger centres, but except for one game, they were in every game. The final result was 1-3-1.
In game 1 against host team Strathroy, the boys played a see-saw game but lost in the final two minutes by a score of 3-2. Goal scorers were Riley Kuepfer and Eric Vander Eyk. Assists to Brandon Wall, Brett Reesor, Sam Town and Keegan Long. Travis Bannerman was in net and played a solid game as Listowel was out shot 12-8.
In game 2 against Woodstock, we had a more spirited effort and came away with a 4-1 victory as Bannerman faced 10 shots. Goal scorers were Kuepfer with two beautiful high wristers to the top corner, Brett Reesor with a shot along the ice and also Blair Johnson on an end-to-end rush, unassisted. Assists on the other goals to Long, Jake Zyta, Sage Buchanan, and Keaton Yungblut. The team was feeling confident after the day 1.
Day 2 of the tournament started with a foggy-eyed morning game at 8am against Tillsonburg. After a scoreless first period, the two teams exchanged a goal each in second period. Johnson scored on a breakaway with assists to Dietrich Westberg and Connor McGrath. The 3rd period was end to end action and again the teams exhanged two goals each for a 3-3 score at the end of regulation. Kuepfer had 2 goals with assists to Reesor, Zyta, Town and Wall. The 5 minute overtime decided nothing and the game ended in a tie.
Game 4 was against a very strong, smoothskating team from Sarnia. We were outscored by an 8-1 score. Listowels' lone goal was scored by Kuepfer with an assist by Vander Eyk. Both Bannerman and Seth Reading saw plenty of shots in net as Listowel was outshot 25-6.
The team and parents went back to the hotel for some much needed time away from the rink. The boys spent some time in the pool and continued their mini-sticks game. After a fanatastic team meal at a nearby restaurant, everyone was feeling good about the bronze medal game the next day. Also good to play Sunday hockey!!
The bronze medal game against Tillsonburg was again a very close affair, similar to the previous game. Listowel opening the scoring with a goal by Kuepfer, assisted by Yungblut. The visitors tied up a few minutes later to end the period at 1-1. Tillsonburg scored the only goal of the second period to make it 2-1 heading into the third. The visitors added to their lead with a goal halfway through the period. But the boys didn't give up and two quick goals by Kuepfer and Cullen Elg in the span of 18 seconds, tied the score at 3-3 with 3:47 left in regulation. Assists to Long, Johnson and Vander Eyk. The boys gave it their all in the final few minutes, however Tillsonburg scored with less than a minute to go to make it 4-3. Listowel pulled their goalie to try to score the equalizer, but to no avail. Final score Tillsonburg 5-3 on an empty net goal.
The local squad was obviously disappointed after the final game but they did play some really good hockey on the weekend and there is definitely improvement as time goes on. The boys didn't seem to get many breaks or bounces on the weekend as they had many breakaways and hit goalposts. The coaches were pleased with the effort given by the young lads and can now look forward to the SilverStick tournament in late December.
Up this weekend are two away games (Kincardine and Saugeen Shores) plus one home game on Sunday versus BCH. Good Luck team !!
