The Bantam Cycs stingy defense was the key as they rack up victories over Saugeen Shores (4-1) and BCH (4-0)
Listowel’s boys hosted Saugeen Shore Storm last Sunday night and despite a shaky start they coasted to a 4-1 win. Saugeen opened the scoring less than a minute into the game, but that would be the only tally they would get as the hometown lads dominated the remainder of the game. Broedy Karelse would get the Cycs on the board at the 3 minute mark of the period with Ben Rothwell and Keaton Willis grabbing assists. Then seconds later, Willis would put the Cycs ahead with Caleb Warren and Brendan Hall assisting. In the 2nd period Karelse would pick up his 2nd of the game from Riley Conners and Matthew Koch. Near the end of the frame Drew McKee would make it a 3 goal lead from Bryce Fletcher and Warren. Despite dominating the 3rd period the Cycs couldn’t solve the Storm goalie resulting in a 4-1 victory. Braeden Ellis picked up the win in net and looked sharp when tested.
The team then finished off the back to back home stand on Monday night as the BCH IceDogs came to town. Team defense and strong goaltending was again the key for tonight. Willis would open the scoring early in the 1st as he tucked home a wrap around rebound, Cole Dannemann and Warren drew assists. Seconds later Owen Bender would bury a shot from the slot with Karelse and Cole McKee picking up assists. Then as the period was coming to a close Warren would pick up a power-play goal (Karelse, Willis assisting) making it 3-0. The 2nd period was more of the 1st first with the hometown lads controlling most of the play with sharp passing and good team defense. Their efforts were again rewarded mid-way through the period when Cole McKee netted a nice feed from Karelse (brother Drew picked up the 2nd assist). To BCH’s credit they did not quite and actually controlled large parts of the 3rd period but Steven Gottfried stood tall in net making several good saves to preserve the shut-out. In the end the Cycs prevailed 4-0 thus extending their winning streak.
Coach Bruce Fitzgerald noted that “the victories were nice but we still have to focus on consistently doing the little things right, like quick puck movement”. The bantam Cycs continue their busy week as they head to Goderich on Thursday night then return home on Sunday were they host Mitchell