Bantams lose in Silver Stick Semi-Finals, News, Bantam Rep, U15, 2011-2012 (Listowel Minor Hockey Association)

The Cycs won 2 and lost 2 at the International Silver Stick in Forest, beating Ayr (3-0) and Tampa (7-2) while losing twice to Strathroy (3-2 both games)

Heading to Forest the bantam Cycs knew the competition would be tough and they were right. Game 1 pitted the Cycs against the very quick Ayr Flames, for Listowel this game was all about scoring on opportunities and the Cyc’s goaltender Steven Gottfried. The game was a fast paced affair with end to end action, but it would Listowel that would hit the sheet 1^st as Cole Danneman buried the perfect Keaton Willis feed. Near the end of the 1^st Broedy Karelse would put home the power-play goal (Caleb Warren assisting), then seconds later Owen Bender would extend the lead to 3 (Matthew Koch, Karelse assisting). From here it was all Steven Gottfried as Ayr peppered him with shot after shot only to be denied. The result a 3-0 Cycs victory and a well deserved shut-out.

Game 2 just a couple hours later had the Cycs face-off against Strathroy. Again the pace was fast and the Cyc’s Willis would open the scoring late in the 1^st period (Warren, Dannemann assisting), but Strathroy would answer seconds later. Again the Cycs would take the lead in the 2^nd period on the power-play as Riley Conners potted the rebound (Willis, Drew McKee assisting), and again the Rockets would tie it late in the 2^nd. Despite many great scoring chances the Cycs could not find the back of the net, and then mid-way through the 3^rd Strathroy would take the lead. The Cycs continued to press but could not get the equalizer falling 3-2.

Game 3 was the next morning and was must win for the local lads as they faced Tampa. The Cycs took control early but couldn’t bury one until half way through the 1^st, then hit the score sheet again just minutes later. Riley Thompson got the 1^st from Conners & Bryce Fletcher with McKee netting the 2^nd from Warren. The Cycs kept the momentum rolling as they tallied 4 more times in the 2^nd period with 4 different scorers. Willis, Bender, Koch & Warren would each score with Warren, Karelse, Koch, McKee, Willis & Dannemann all recording assists. Willis would round out the scoring in the 3^rd (Parker Yungblut, Dannemann assisting) sending the Cycs to the semis with the 7-2 victory.

In the semis the Cycs would again face the Rockets and again the game featured a torrid pace. Strathroy would get on the board 1^st then early in the 2^nd take a 2 goal lead. Undaunted the Cycs continued to work hard and they were rewarded when Bender tucked home a rebound (McKee, Fletcher drawing assists). Down 2-1 heading into the 3^rd the Cycs continue to press and this time Warren would steal the puck at the blue line and convert a nice deke, tying the game. Both teams tighten up the checking but with less than 7 minutes remaining Strathroy would capitalize on a defense lapse and again take the lead. The Cycs had a few good chances in the remaining minutes which included a large goal mouth scramble but couldn’t manage the tying goal, thus ended their tournament with another 3-2 loss.