Nov 13, 2022 | Brendan Magee | 84 views
U13 Cycs bounce back in the semis!
The U13 Reps bounced back after a poor Saturday night performance with a 5-3 semi final victory over the host South Muskoka Bears!!
With the round robin over it was time to play for keeps with the semi final and finals on Sunday. The Cyclones again didn't have a great start giving up the opening goal mid way through the period but responded quickly minutes later as Hudson Ireland tucked home a play set up by Emerson Smith and Patrick Magee. The first frame would end tied at one a piece.
The 2nd period saw the Cycs have ample offensive zone time before Cole Parsons scored unassisted to give Listowel the lead. Minutes late Smith scored on a nice feed from Parsons to push the margin to 3-1. The hosts weren't going to go down without a fight and tucked a goal mouth scramble in to cut the lead to one ending the second period with the Cycs leading 3-2.
Ten minutes and a resilient Bears team stood between the Cyclones and a trip to the finals, the third period sure to be a battle. As he's done all tournament, tournament scoring leader Smith scored on an unassisted effort to push the lead back to 2. The Cycs seemed to have things well in hand but a double minor penalty with 3 minutes left gave the home team a chance to get back in the contest. The penalty kill had been solid all tournament but relented on this one giving up a goal and turning up the temperature for the final few minutes. Another penalty put the Cyclones down two men and with the goalie pulled created a daunting task for the penalty killers facing a 6 on 3. Smith showed that he can do more than just create offense with a huge shot block at the blue line sending himself on a break away which he buried to send the Listowel crowd into a frenzy. After killing the second half of the double minor the Cyclones were still down a man with a minute left. The Bears pushed hard but the Cyclones stood strong backed by goalie Hunter Donegan who made some huge saves to protect the 5-3 lead and punch their ticket to the final.
The Cyclones now play their WOAA rival Saugeen Shores Storm in the finals at 415 at the Bracebridge Memorial Arena.