Mar 30, 2015 | enieuwkoop | 1041 views
Midget Reps Conquer at Cross Border Clash Tourney!
The Listowel Midget Rep hockey team was a perfect 4 and 0 in the Cross Border Clash tournament played March 27th thru 29TH in Port Hope this past weekend.
The Cyclones played perhaps their best hockey of the year and deservingly came home with the A side Championship!
Game 1 Friday vs Almaguin (near Huntsville)
A fast paced game against a very pesky team. First period action saw the Cyclones start a little sluggish which resulted in an Almaguin goal mid-way thru the opening frame. Seconds later Derek Fischer would find Blake Buchanan alone in front of the Almaguin goal and would make no mistake promptly tying the game at one. The Cyclone net remained busy and goaltender Steven Gottfried made several big saves keeping the Cyclones in the game. A bad bounce would lead to another Almaguin goal. Now trailing 2 to 1, the Cyclones would find their skating legs. Riley Conners with assists going to Lucas Jamieson and Owen Bender would tie the game shortly before the first period ended. Second period action saw Riley Thompson hit the twine after some hard work by Copper Miller and Josh Gottfried. With the momentum now shifting and the Cyclones really starting to fly, Mathew Koch would rip a shot top right after some nifty passing from Conners and Jamieson. Having 4 to 2 lead and with Almaguin sputtering, Conners from Koch and Jamieson would inflict the final blow resulting in a decisive 5 – 2 Cyclone win.
Game 2 Saturday vs Brighton
Once again the Cyclones found themselves in a fast paced game featuring hard hitting and end to end action. Starting goaltender Braeden Ellis was sharp the entire game making several key saves. In a repeat of game one, the Cyclones found themselves down 1 to 0 with little time left in the first. Once again, the Cyclones on a blast from Will Calder (assist going to Parker Yungblut) would tie the game virtually seconds after Brighton’s first goal. The Cyclones remained persistent throughout the second and were finally rewarded when Copper Miller (assisted by Gottfried and Thompson) found the back of the net. Moments later Brighton would take a costly penalty and Conners with help from Jamieson would give the Cycs a much deserved 3 to 1 lead. Third period action was text book shut down hockey as the Cyclones played a fantastic defensive game to preserve the 3 to 1 win.
Game 3 Saturday vs Deep River
Playing their second game in less than 4 hours, the Cyclones would face off against Deep River with a win guaranteeing them a spot in Sunday’s “A” final. Right from the start, it was apparent that Deep River would prove no match for the Cyclones. Behind the goaltending of Steven Gottfried, the Cyclones team used their speed and superior passing skills to cruise to a relatively easy 4 – 2 win. Scoring for the Cyclones were Reese Johnson, Riley Thompson, Lucas Jamieson and Derek Fischer. Assists were earned by Buchanan (2), Brendan Hall, Calder, Koch, Conners, Owen Bender and Curtis Jackson.
Final Sunday vs Mount Forest
Sunday’s championship opponent would prove to be no stranger to the Cyclones as the two teams had battled several times throughout the regular season. It is no secret that the two teams do not like each other and the Cyclones were determined to defeat their rivals from the WOAA. The game started slowly and saw the Cyclones misfire on several scoring chances in the first period. With time running out in the first frame, a drive from Calder on the point was redirected beautifully by Riley Thompson resulting with one goal lead after one period. Second period action saw a tired Cyclone team struggle to maintain the momentum and saw the Rams score off a rebound leaving the two teams deadlocked at one after two periods. Third period action again saw both teams feeling the effects of a long weekend of hockey. Fortunately, with five minutes left in the third, a frustrated Ram player would take a costly 4 minute double minor penalty and this would prove to be the spark the Cycs were looking for because they would strike twice on the ensuing power play. Goal scorers were Bender from Brendan Hall and Jamieson and Conners from Bender. The Cyclones would play shut down hockey over the final two minutes. Final score Cyclones 3 and Mount Forest 1. Listowel’s goaltending duties were split by Gottfried and Ellis with Gottfried getting the start and Ellis coming in the midway thru the second. Both tenders played well surrendering just the one goal to the Rams. The team missed the services of big defenceman Ben Rothwell and hope he is healed and ready to go for next season.
The Midget Cyclones want to thank coaches Everett Nieuwkoop and Todd Bender for all their efforts this year. The team ended with a very impressive 25-13-6 record including two tournament championships. Thanks to trainers Chad Yungblut, Al Rothwell and manager Rod Thompson for their commitment and Steve Conners for his sport journal skills!
-Submitted by S. Thompson