Character becoming the Bantam’s Trademark, News, Bantam Rep, U15, 2010-2011 (Listowel Minor Hockey Association)

Heading into the regional tourney the young Cycs knew they where going to have to bring their “A” game as the competition was going to be tough. And like every other instant this year they did rise to the occasion. Game one saw the Cycs face the BCH Ice Dogs, who had beaten them twice earlier this year. Undaunted by the past the local lads came out flying and hit the score sheet just over a minute into the contest as Tyler Hak buried his 1^st of the game (Nathan Dietz assisted). Hak would get his 2^nd goal just a few minutes later giving the Cycs the 2-0 lead (Andrew Gooding assisted). To their credit BCH did not quit tying the game at twos late in the 2^nd. Hak would be the game’s hero with about 5 minutes remaining in the contest as his top shelf blast eluded the Ice Dog goalie giving the Hak the hat trick, the Cycs the 3-2 lead and eventually the victory (Dietz & Drew McKee picked up the assists).

Later in the day the Cycs faced the Ayr Flames. This time it would be the Flames who would come out flying pressuring the local lads from the onset. The Cycs defense & goaltender, Steven Gottfried, battled hard keeping the quick Flames off the board. The young Cycs actually thought they had scored the games opening goal, but the men in stripes didn’t agree. Eventually Ayr would bust open the game with 3 2^nd period goals, but the young Cycs showed great determination hitting the game sheet early in the 3^rd as Gooding banged home a rebound. The teams would trade goals in the remainder of the period (Cyc’s goal Hak from Gooding) giving Ayr the 4-2 victory.

The next day the Cyclones faced the Oro Thunder in a must win to advance game. This may have been the fastest & most entertaining game the Cycs played this year. The game featured great goaltending by Tyler Robinson, many solid body checks and nice puck movement. The Cycs would draw 1^st blood late in the first as Broedy Karelse would cap off a nice 3 way passing play from Caleb Warren & Keaton Willis. Oro would tie the game late in the 2^nd period then take the lead early in the 3^rd. With time running down in the 3^rd & the Cycs needing 2 goals to advance, the team pulled the goalie and with 11 seconds remaining tied the game as Karelse banged home a rebound (Warren & Willis assisting). However the celebration was cut short as Warren was on the short end of a large collision into the boards. As he was attended to the young Cycs planned their next move as they still needed another goal to advance. When the puck dropped the Cycs dumped and chased hard then with 1 second remaining hit the post, finishing the game in a 2-2 tie.