Listowel Novice LL Red edged the Hanover Falcons, 4-3, at
P&H Centre on Saturday.
Finn Molenhuis opened the scoring in the hard-fought contest with three minutes left in the first, a period which was very much decided in a battle between goaltenders Noah Szasz and Nathan Van Straten.
The goal was assisted by Kole Schiestel, who potted a pair himself in the second period. The center also did well to keep up with the offensive weapons in Hanover’s arsenal, an all-around effort which earned him the Player of the Game title.
Helping turn back the Hanover tide was Listowel’s defensive unit. Molenhuis and his D-partner, Brynn Berfelz, created many transition opportunities, while the “Bash Brothers”, Warner Hurst and Oliver Hershey, were paired up once again with #7 picking up an assist on Red’s second goal.
Down 1-0 early in the middle frame, Hanover scored twice quickly to take the lead. Shiestel’s two tallies then gave Red the 3-2 lead before reaching the second intermission.
With two minutes left to go in regulation, Noah Hiemstra gave Listowel some breathing room, as some work along the boards by linemates Nehemiah Dyck and Shiestel, led to Hiemstra being able to tuck in a backhand shot for a two-goal advantage.
Hanover didn’t wait long to answer, needing only 10 seconds to narrow the game to 4-3.
But that’s where the home team’s attack stalled out, as the line of Ruby Hillier, Grayson Matheson and Spencer Henhoeffer came back on the ice and shut down the top Falcons unit, a total-ice effort they had excelled at all game long.
Listowel will aim to remain undefeated with a Tuesday tilt at 6:30pm versus one of their closest rivals - Listowel White.