FLORADALE 6
BETHEL 4
A high scoring and close game made for an exciting season opener in local recreational hockey action.
Bethel opened the season with a goal midway through the first period. Matt Horst and Brandon Shoemaker left a rebound at the right post. Mike Seiling finished the play by snapping the puck under the goalie’s pads.
Floradale tied the game before the period ended. Willis Martin sent Brendan Jefferson in on net and he scored to tie the game.
Bethel took the lead early in the second. MacKenzie Bauman sent Brandon Shoemaker down the ice with a break away. Netminder Ken Shantz made the initial save but Mike Seiling snapped the rebound into the corner.
Floradale came back with a pair of goals to take the lead for the first time in the game. Jefferson tucked the puck into the short side for the tying goal and Dan Martin knifed in a back hand shot for the go-ahead goal. Assists were earned by Javon Martin, Willis Martin and Ryan Martin.
However, Bethel tied the game in the final minute of the period. Shoemaker stole the puck deep in the Floradale end and beat the glove of the goaltender with a wrist shot.
Bethel seized a loose puck to open the third with a goal. Brandon Wideman skated across the crease and sent the puck into the top corner.
Floradale once again stormed back for two quick goals. Nick Martin stuffed the puck through the pads for the tying goal and Jefferson took the lead with a wrist shot. Assist by Dan Martin, Ryan Martin and Corey Wideman.
Bethel pulled their goaltender in the final minute for the extra skater but Josh Brohman rolled the puck down the ice into the empty net to put the game away.
DRAYTON 3
COMMUNITY 1
Community grabbed the first goal early in the game. Josh Martin fed the puck to Gerald Martin who tucked the puck into the top near side corner.
Drayton tied the game late in the period. Eric Deckers sprang Pat Landman loose for a short-handed breakaway rush. Landman snapped a shot along the ice for the goal.
Both teams played hard through the second period but were unable to affect the score. A power play midway through the third period gave Drayton the edge for the go-ahead goal. Mark Scholten worked the puck deep in the left corner to slip a pass to Brent Dekoning. Dekoning snapped a hard shot along the ice into the net.
Drayton padded their lead with another goal. A two-on-one rush gave Mark Scholten a quick shot along the ice to send the puck under the pads of Chris Stevens.
MISSIONARY 7
LISTOWEL 2
Missionary opened the game with a goal midway through the first period. Cody Gleeson stepped into a loose puck and skated it down the ice. Gleeson went to the right corner and sent the puck into the corner with a wrist shot.
Listowel tied the game in the dying minute of the period. Lowell Weber leaned into a loose puck at the blue line and rifled a slap shot past Charlie Wagler in net.
Missionary sprang loose for four goals in the second. Curtis Bults scored a pair, while Matt Burnett and Dylan Bults each added a goal. Assists were earned by Bryan Deen, Dylan Bults, Scott Vandepas and Dave Scholten.
Listowel turned another loose puck into a goal late in the period. Kyle Streicher blasted a slap shot through the crowd for the goal.
Missionary added two more goals in the third to put the game away. Matt Freund and Steve Domitrovic scored the goals. Assisted by Bryan Deen and Curtis Bults.
