This week saw the Bantam Cyclones manufacture victories over Kincardine (5-3) and BCH (6-1).
Sunday night saw the 3rd meeting of the season between Kincardine & Listowel. Like the other two, this game a hard fought contest with the Kinucks coming out more determined to earn the victory. Kincardine got on the board early in the game then added to their lead late in the 1st period. In the 2nd period Owen Bender would give the Cycs their 1st goal with Matthew Koch & Broedy Karelse assisting. Keaton Wills would then tie the game just over a minute later finishing off a nice feed from Caleb Warren & Bryce Fletcher. In the 3rd period Kincardine continued to press and despite some solid goaltending by Steven Gottfried the Kinucks took the 3-2 lead. However just seconds later, the Cycs would again tie the game as Koch tucked home a rebound (Warren assisting). The local lads would take the lead for good at the 6 minute mark of the period as Willis netted a “back-door” feed from Warren, then in the dying seconds Willis would complete the hat-trick into the open net (Bender & Karelse drawing assists) securing the 5-3 victory.
On Tuesday night the Cycs travelled to Clinton’s nice, new facility for their 1st meeting of the season against BCH. The Ice Dogs got on the board 1st as a Cyc turnover lead to a breakaway which the BCH player buried. The Cycs would respond late in the 1st when Koch shot from the face-off founds it’s way to the back of the net (Karelse assisting). The Cycs spend most of the 2nd period in the penalty box, collecting 5 minor penalties, however during the few minutes of equal strength they did manage a couple goals. Flethcher got the 1st from Parker Yungblut, then Koch tipped home the 2nd from Fletcher & Warren. The Cycs seemed to regain their composure in the 3rd period and the scoreboard reflected their efforts, as they tallied 3 times in the period. Riley Conners scored the 1st from a tough angle, Willis tucked home the 2nd from Cole Dannemann & Karelse while Karelse potted the 3rd from Bender & Brenden Hall thus giving the Cycs the 6-1 victory. Braeden Ellis was sharp in net, especially in the 2nd period as the Cycs killed off all their penalties.
With the 2 victories the Cycs run their winning streak to 12 however in the coaching staff’s opinion these two victories would be considered “winning ugly”. With the season still being relatively young and lots of areas where improvements can be made the team must continue to push themselves to get better. The Cycs next action is Sunday in Kincardine @ 6:00.