Mar 11, 2022 | Brendan Magee | 326 views
U9 Reps top Storm to take first in pool play!
Thursday night saw the Saugeen Shores Storm travel to Steve Kerr Memorial Complex to take on the Listowel Cyclones U9 Rep team in a final game to determine who would take to spot in pool B.
The Listowel squad clearly understood the importance of showing up early in this tilt which was not the case the last time these two teams played each other. Shifting from defense back to forward was not a problem for Gray Parkhouse who along with linemates Maddox Birk and Lewis Nichol started the game with a solid shift putting all sorts of pressure on the visitors, keeping the puck in their end the entire shift. It didn't stop as Hudson Williams, Ian Magee and Luke Strickler came on next and sustained the pressure eventually resulting in Strickler burying the first goal of the game assisted by Seth Cameron. Strickler would strike again near the end of the period on a solo effort staking the home team to a 2-0 lead after 1 period.
The second period saw the action tilt a bit in favour of the road team as the Storm pushed to get on the scoreboard. Kaden Neves was a beast on the point as he kept the skilled forwards from Saugeen Shores from getting any quality scoring changes, blocking shots and clearing the puck from the Cycs end. The second period saw the game remain at 2-0 for the home team setting up a pressure packed final frame.
The Storm's top forward had put up an impressive 24 goals in the previous 7 playoff games and was sure to be double and triple shifted in the third period as they looked to close the gap. Throughout this game the forwards of the Cyclones had bottled him up in his own zone and not let him get any momentum with the puck. When he did manage to get out of his end with the puck the Cycs defense of Neves, Cameron, Matty Williams and Max Zilliax were there to stop him or force a weak angled shot. The Cycs tender Declan McCarthur played brilliant as he gave the Storm shooters very little to shoot at all game and made big stops when called upon. The score held at 2-0 until a penalty early in the period gave the dangerous Storm a power play. The open ice was all the pool's top scorer needed as he found the back of the net and cut the deficit in half. It was nail biting time for the fans (and coach's) at the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex, but the boys held strong riding some huge saves by McCarthur down the stretch and holding on for a 2-1 win. With the win the Cyclones clinch first place in pool B and await their next opponent in the semi final of the WOAA Twolan division.
In addition to the WOAA playoffs, the boys head to Ayr next weekend for the U9 Silver Stick, check back here to see what happens as this great little team continues it's way through an exciting U9 season!!