The Bantam AE Cyclones have taken a two game lead in their semi-final series against the Kincardine Kinucks. The Cycs are motivated and playing with an intensity level that's required at this time of year!
On Saturday afternoon, the Cyclones traveled through the harsh frigid weather to start their series on the road in Kincardine. The Cycs put on a great display of forechecking and managed to maintain control of the puck for a good portion of the game. Jackson Cox fired things up in the first period with a great battle in front of the Kinardine net. Cox's hard work lead to the Cycs first goal of the series.
At the beginning of the second frame, Kyle Sippel fired a bullet from the top of the circle, while Tyson Duck, positioned in front of the net, caught a piece of it giving the Cyclones a 2-0 lead. With just over five minutes left in the second, Paul Lockie riffled a shot off of the cross bar! Everyone thought it was in, but Kyle Sippel heard the ref calling it off and lunged across the ice shoving the puck to the back of the net ..... 3-0!
In the third period, the Kinucks battled back narrowing the lead to one goal! With less than a minute to play, the Cycs had to kill a penalty, while Kincardine pulled their goalie giving them an extra skater. Listowel maintained composure and focus, ending game one with a 3-2 victory. The team was well prepared and showed their focus from the drop of the puck till the end of the game. Well done!
On Sunday evening, the Kincardine Kinucks arrived in Listowel and they came out firing in the first period! The Cycs gradually picked up the pace and began to work the corners winning crucial battles. Paul Lockie grabbed the first goal of the game with assists from Kyle Sippel and Justin Miller. The lead was short lived as the Kinucks bounced back with a goal only two minutes later. The game remained tied for the balance of the first and through the entire second period!
The Cyclones remained focused, which paid off! Mid-way into the third period, Michael Hogwood found a puck in front of the net and made no mistake bulging the twine (assisted by Robbie Couto), giving the Cyclones a 2-1 lead. The Cycs continued to push ahead adding two more goals: Cory Wilson scored goal number three, with an assist from Justin Miller, and the final goal of the game was grabbed by Zach McPhee. The team faced some adversity throughout the game, but they worked together to gain the 4-1 victory, showing their true strength!
Game three will be a great one to watch! The Bantam AE's will be back in action on Wednesday night (Jan 21st) at 8:00 p.m., in Listowel. Come on out!
GO CYCS GO!