In the final night of the regular season, two long standing scoring records were broken.
Floradale’s Ryan Martin, earned five assists as his team blanked Listowel 13-0, giving him a total of 35 assists on the season. That broke the previous record of 33, held by Terry Hessels (for Drayton in 1990-91) and Phil Vandenberg (Drayton, 1999-00).
Drayton’s Eric Dekkers scored his 29th goal of the season to help his team defeat Bethel 4-1. The previous record of 28 was shared by Maurice Bauman (Bethel, 1989-90), Steve Shoemaker (Bethel, 1990-91) and Phil Vandenberg (Drayton, 1994-95).
The results of the first week of playoffs are as follows.
DRAYTON 6 – MISSIONARY 1
Drayton took control of the game early, scoring four goals in the first period.
Joe Gerby started things off for Drayton with a pair of goals at the midway point. Eric Dekkers followed by setting up Robyn Curry for a shot into the empty corner, and then snapped a wrist shot himself for a goal. Other assists were earned by Pat Landman, Jerry Robous, Scott Nieuwland and Curry.
Missionary kept Drayton off the score board in the second, but a powerplay early in the third gave Drayton a goal. Rob Stevens started the play with a pass to Gerby, who snapped a shot on net that was tipped in by Rich Robous.
Drayton added another later in the period after Gerby centred a pass to Stevens, who tipped the puck high underneath the crossbar.
Missionary finally scored with just over a minute left in the game. Dennis Gleeson and Chris Huber set up Shane Stege, who cut to the net and ripped a wrist shot into the top corner.
Drayton outshot Missionary 49-26 and leads the ‘A’ Division semifinal 1-0.
FLORADALE 5 – COMMUNITY 2
Community took an early lead with a goal from the opening face-off. Gerald Martin and Kevin Gingrich set up Tony Martin, who snapped a wrist shot through the crowd for the goal.
Floradale tied the game late in the period after Tim and Ryan Martin sent Javon Martin skating over the blue line. Martin reached back and fired a slap shot past netminder Chris Stevens to even the score.
Floradale took the 2-1 lead late in the second when Josh Brohman sent a high pass to drop the puck to Dan Martin, who skated the puck to the deep right corner and centred a pass to Ryan Martin driving to the net. A quick tip and the puck ended up behind Stevens.
Floradale added one more goal in the dying seconds of the period after Tim Freeman set up Mike Martin to force the puck into the nearside corner.
Community responded early in the third when Gerald Martin and Kevin Gingrich teed up Tony Martin, who blasted a slap shot that bounced off the pads of and landed behind netminder Jason Newton for the goal.
Floradale came back to rebuild the lead to 4-2 when Tim Freeman slipped a shot underneath Stevens in the short side, assisted by Tim and Dan Martin.
Floradale added one more goal to put the game away when Mike Martin fired a slap shot that squeaked the puck through the pads of Stevens, assisted by Dan Martin and Josh Brohman.
Floradale leads the other ‘A’ Division semifinal 1-0.
BETHEL 4 – LISTOWEL 0
Bethel took the lead with two goals late in the first period.
Kyle Martin tipped in a centring pass and Brandon Wideman snapped in a rebound. Assists were earned by Mike Seiling, Jim Wideman and Sam Altwegg.
Bethel added another goal in the second after Brandon Shoemaker and Brandon Wideman sent Mike Veens skating in along the right side boards. Veens cut towards the net and snapped a wrist shot over the goaltender’s glove.
With only a few seconds left on the game clock, Bethel finished the game with a goal. when Brandon Shoemaker blasted a slap shot into the net.
Bethel outshot Listowel 19-15. The shutout for Derek Wideman gives Bethel a 1-0 lead in the ‘B’ Division semifinal.
On Feb. 20 Community meets Floradale at 8pm, Bethel plays Listowel at 9pm and Drayton will try to finish off Missionary at 10pm.
