FLORADALE 5 – BETHEL 1
The first goal of the game came early in the second period with a face-off in the Bethel end. A clean win by Ryan Martin gave Tim Martin the opportunity to blast a slap shot from the point and send the puck into the high corner to give Floradale the lead.
The lead was short lived. A Bethel power play had Caleb Bauman set up Brandon Shoemaker in the slot. Shoemaker made no mistake and tied the game with a hard wrist shot.
Floradale regained the lead midway through the third period. Gary Martin and Javon Martin centred a pass to Brendan Jefferson driving to the net. A quick shot over the goalies’s glove put Floradale ahead.
Bethel was given another power play opportunity but gave up a short-handed goal. Javon Martin stepped into a loose puck and jabbed it underneath the net minder before it could be covered.
Floradale added two more goals before the game ended. Tim Freeman sent a rising wrist into the corner for a gaol and then set up Nick Martin for the final shot into the open corner. Both goals were also assisted by Dan Martin.
The win gives Floradale a 1-0 lead in the ‘A’ division best-of-three semi-finals.
COMMUNITY 6 – DRAYTON 3
Community struck for a power play goal late in the first period. A scramble at the net ended with Joe Clemmer cashing in on a rebound left by Cal Martin and Tanner Hackbart.
Community added to its lead in the second period with a short-handed goal. A stretch pass by Rick Brubacher set up Kevin Gingrich, who hit the blue line and blasted a shot into the top corner.
Drayton answered however, before the powerplay ended. Drayton clogged the net and Brandon Rumph forced the puck into the near side corner, assisted by Rob DeWeerd and Pat Landman.
A powerplay in the third period gave Community another insurance goal. A scramble at the net ended with Tanner Hackbart burying the rebound for the goal, assisted by Josh Martin and Joe Clemmer.
Drayton stormed back and scored a pair of goals in less than a minute to tie up the game. Brent Dekoning scored both goals with a speedy rush on net and a deadly finishing tuck, assisted by Mike DeWeerd on the initial rush and by Pat Landman and Herman Mulder on the tying goal.
Community came back with their own surge on net. Kyle Roes teed the puck up for Terry Horst at the point. Horst blasted a shot and Tony Martin tipped the puck into the net to take the lead.
Another power play gave Community some insurance. Tanner Hackbart blasted a shot on net and Tony Martin buried the rebound.
One final goal left no doubt that Community would claim the win. Kyle Roes sent Nick Stevens down the right boards. Stevens blasted a shot over the shoulder of net minder Kevin Ottens.
The win gives Community a 1-0 lead in the ‘A’ division’s best-of-three semi-finals.
LISTOWEL 2 – MISSIONARY 0
An early power play gave Listowel the only goal in the first period. Mark Hockley and Curtis Wagler set up Travis Kuepfer in front of the net. Kuepfer deked to his right and sent a rising shot to the opposite corner for the goal.
Listowel didn’t add to its lead until early in the third period. Max Brubacher and Kyle Streicher sent Andrew Jantzi skating down the right side boards. Jantzi skated in on net and floated a shot over the blocker for the goal.
Although Missionary pulled their goaltender in the final minute for the extra skater, Listowel held on for the shutout victory and a 1-0 lead in the B Division best-of-three semi finals.
