Listowel Novice LL Red returned the win column with a 5-0
blanking of the Minto Mad Dogs on Saturday.
Red, donned in white for the day to oppose their maroon-clad foes, took the lead in the first period as Grayson Matheson found the back of the net following some solid puck pursuit by linemates Spencer Henhoeffer and Ruby Hillier.
Noah Hiemstra doubled the lead five minutes later, banging in a rebound from Nehemiah Dyck. Along with center Finn Molenhuis, the three connected for a couple more goals in the second period, one off the stick of #11 and a second marker from #16.
With Kole Shiestel on the shelf (listed as day-to-day), Listowel’s defensive unit was short-staffed. The trio of Brynn Berfelz, Warner Hurst and Oliver Hershey patrolled the expanse of the new ice surface as well as they had all season, breaking up odd-man rushes and pinning the Dogs in their own end for extended stretches at a time.
Henhoeffer also scored in the middle frame on a slick feed from Matheson, then nearly potted another as the final buzzer sounded, an effort which earned him the Player of the Game Medallion.
Noah Szasz came up big when tested and didn’t give the Hounds a sniff of any rebound as he swallowed up several breakaway opportunities to earn his 5th shutout of the season.
Red now has an extended break in their schedule to practice and ready themselves for the Harriston Tournament on January 20th.