The young Cycs show great heart and resilience against Strathroy but the overtime loss eliminates them from the OMHA playoffs
The 5 game series with Strathroy was fast-paced affair between two very evenly matched teams. Throughout the series both teams showed great character as 4 of the 5 games where decided by a goal or less, and featured several momentum swings within each game.
Game 1 in Listowel started with both teams feeling each other out, but it would be the Cycs who would score first as Broedy Karelse sent Tyler Hak in on a breakaway with just seconds remaining in the 1st, and captain Hak made no mistake.The 2nd period would belong to Strathroy, this would be a common theme throughout the series, as they tied it at 1’s. The Rockets would take the lead early in the 3rd but Cole Fletcher’s point shot would again tie the game (Caleb Warren assisting), then with 1.7 seconds remaining in the game Andrew Gooding would redirect a Hak shot giving the Cycs the 3-2 victory (Michael McMurren drawing the 2nd assist).
Game 2 in Strathroy, saw the host Rockets come out determined to tie the series. Listowel was in a scramble mode for most of the games, thus failing to generate many scoring chances. Cyc’s tender, Steven Gottfried tried his best to keep his team in the game but to little avail as Strathroy would hold a 3-1 lead late in the game, then add 2 empty net goals for the 5-1 victory. Graeden Geiger would notch the Cycs lone goal late in the 2nd period, with Riley Conners and Hak grabbing assists.
Game 3 was back in Listowel, and a much more focused Cycs team took the ice. The local lads dominated the 1st period scoring twice and probably should have had 2 more. Gooding scored the 1st tucking in a misplayed puck, then Hak would redirect a McMurren point shot. Strathroy would regroup in the 2nd and actually tie the game at 2, before the Cycs would retake the lead on what might be the prettiest goal of the season. Warren took the Nate Dietz pass, slid the puck through his feet, and then laid a perfect back-hand pass to Gooding who would deposit it into the open net. The 3rd period was a see-saw affair as Strathroy would score twice to take the lead then Gooding would complete his hat trick tying the game up at 4’s but a scramble around the Listowel net late in the period resulted in the Rockets 5th goal. The local boys came close to tying it a Hak shot hit the post in the dying seconds but Strathroy would take game three 5-4.
Game 4 in Strathroy saw the Cycs in a must win situation and again they cam out flying as Keaton Willis scored just 17 seconds into the game (Karelse assisting). Strathroy would again tie it up in the 2nd and take the lead mid-way through the 3rd. But the young Cycs showed great character and a never quite work ethic which was rewarded when Gooding potted a nice feed from Dietz and McMurren. With the game tied at 2 we would head into overtime for the 1st time in the series. Both teams had several chances but many key saves by the goaltenders would keep the game tied sending the series back to Listowel with Strathroy leading 5 points to 3.
Game 5 in Listowel was another great game, as the Cycs were again in a must win situation. And like most of the previous games the local lads came out flying controlling most of the play in the 1st period. And again the Cycs took the early lead as Gooding’s shot found the back of the net. Then like most of the games in this series Strathroy would respond in the 2nd scoring 4 times to take the lead. The Cycs did manage 1 goal in the 2nd as Karelse potted a Hak from Willis pass, but headed into the break down 4-2. The break allowed the Cycs to regroup and come out in the 3rd with the heart and desire they have displayed so many times before. Karelse would get the team off on the right foot just 38 seconds into the 3rd as he banged home a rebound (Brenden Hall, Warren picking up assists). Just a few minutes later Hak’s sharp angle shot found the back of the net, tying the game at 4’s (Karelse assisting). Needing the win the local lads continued to force the play, generating several good scoring chances, but to no avail as these teams would head into overtime for the 2nd straight game. In the extra frame there was lots of action around the Strathroy net but the Cycs just couldn’t fine the handle. Knowing a tie would not help the locals continued to take chances, but with 2 minutes remaining Strathroy took advantage scoring the OT winner, eliminating the Cycs 5-4.
Despite the obvious disappointment the Cycs effort can not be questioned as they did leave everything they had on the ice. The coaching staff and parents are very proud of this group of young men as they battled hard throughout the playoff run. Next up is the WOAA group play where the bantams have a home & home with Saugeen Shores with the game in Listowel Tuesday night @ 8:00