The Listowel Cyclones managed to survive a late push by the Brantford Bandits tonight.
Listowel came out flying, opening the scoring early in the first on a power play goal by Trent Verbeek. The teams would trade penalties and power plays throughout the period, and at 4-on-4 Brendan Koops ripped a hard slap shot past Brantford's new goalie Jukka Schotter to make it 2-0. That's how the first would end with both teams frequently opening the penalty box door.
In the second, Listowel made a surprise goalie switch, as young Dixon Grimes looked to have tweaked something after a strong first, so Evan Morrison came in. Listowel continued to carry play and increased the lead to 3-0 as Jonah White scored on a deflection after missing a golden chance in alone on Schotter, who was magnificent for Brantford. Listowel would yield a couple 5-on-3 opportunities to Brantford, who still couldn't dent the twine.
The third period was a wild ride, with more penalty trouble finally biting Listowel, as Brantford got on the board courtesy of Brayden McDonald from the point on a man advantage. Just 17 seconds later, Brantford cut the lead to 3-2 as defender Jordan Simpson threw it on net and it deflected off a Listowel skate past Morrison. The Bandits completed the comeback just 5 minutes later as LJ Beaupre tipped home a power play goal off a big rebound to tie the game.
The first overtime solved nothing as Listowel carried a power play into the extra 4-on-4 frame. Neither team could score. The teams would trade chances right into the double OT 3-on-3, where Trent Verbeek was robbed on a breakaway, but just moments later, Tyler Hotson did a great job shaking two defenders below the goal line to slide in to a wide open Verbeek, who put it right under the bar for the winner past Schotter. Listowel went 2 for 9 on the PK and just 1 for 8 on the power play. They will now get ready for a road contest tomorrow night n Cambridge at 7 p.m.
