Bantams Advance to OMHA Quarter Finals, News, Bantam Rep, U15, 2013-2014 (Listowel Minor Hockey Association)

The Bantam Cyclones captured the WOAA title and advanced to the OMHA quarter-finals by defeating Kincardine 5-1 in game 4 in the best of 5 series.

With game 4 being in Listowel the local lads came out determined to end the series on home ice. Early in the game both teams had some chances but it would be the Cycs that would get on the board 1^st. Listowel ‘s fore-checking would pay dividends late in the 1^st as they tallied again taking a 2-0 lead into the 2^nd period. This penalty-filled period saw the Cycs take control of the game as they scored 3 times… one short-handed, one on the power-play and one at even strength. The Kinuck’s would break the shut-out in the dying second of the period, but the strong Listowel defense would close the door in the 3^rd securing the 5-1 victory and the WOAA title.

The series began in Kincardine, actually Ripley, a week earlier on a stormy Thursday night. Both teams came out tentative, in what was a sloppy 1^st period. The Cycs would get on the board early in the 2^nd then extend their lead mid-way through the frame; however Kincardine would close the gap to one before in the end of the period.  The 3^rd was a very evenly played period with both teams exchanging chances, but strong Listowel goaltending would keep the Kinucks from tying the game. The Cycs would seal the game on an empty-netter making the final 3-1. But unbeknown to the Listowel squad the game was only half the excitement as the team bus got stuck on the on the way home. But all was good thanks to the skilled bus driver, a friendly farmer and a large tow truck.

Game 2 was back in Listowel and Kincardine came out much more determined as they quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead. The home-town Cyclones gather themselves and picked up their play mid-way through the 1^st which lead to their 1^st goal late in the period. The Cycs continued their momentum into the rest of the game as they tallied 4 more times (2 of which were on the power-play) taking the final 5-2 and a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3 saw a similar start as the previous game as Kincardine scored 2 quick goals. Again Listowel pushed back, only to run into a hot goalie along with a couple posts. This time Kincardine would be much more determined as they extended their lead with 2 more goals in the 2^nd. The Cycs tried several times to break the goose egg, but credit goes to the Kinucks for bending but not breaking, giving them the 4-0 victory.

In the OMHA quarter finals Listowel will face-off against Elmvale in what should be a very good series. These teams have split their 2 previous meetings, in the Elmvale tourney… game one goes Saturday at 6:00 in Listowel, with game 2 in Elmvale on Sunday and game 3 on Monday in Listowel at 6:30.