FIRST PLACE SISKINS TAKE TWO FROM BRAMPTON ON THE WEEKEND

Jan 6, 2019

Waterloo Siskins opened the New Year with a home and home series with the Brampton Bombers. Waterloo sits on top of the Mid-Western conference at the break with only a few points between 1st and 4th. It was important for Waterloo to keep registering wins with only 16 regular season games left in the 2018-19 season. Waterloo boasts the best home record in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League and hoped to add to their home ice dominance Sunday afternoon at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex. Home ice advantage in the playoffs will be critical for Waterloo as they hope to advance out of their conference this season after coming so close last year losing to the eventual Sutherland Cup champion Listowel Cyclones with just minutes left in Game 7.

The afternoon did not start well for Waterloo. Brampton scored the only goal of the first period despite being outshot 12-7 in the period. Brampton scored again just a minute into the second period giving them a 2-0 lead.

Waterloo started to turn up the heat and converted an odd man rush when Waterloo defensemen SHANE DONOVAN converted a cross ice pass to get Waterloo on the board.  MATT PRUCHA brought Waterloo even at 2-2 scoring a shorthanded streaking down his off wing. Exactly 3 minutes later Waterloo Siskins leading goal scorer ALEX LYCETT took a centering pass and went “Forehand-Backhand-Up” around the Brampton net minder for the eventual game winning goal . The game started to get “chippy” and Waterloo took advantage on the power play with OWEN LANE eventually pushing the puck through a scrum in the Brampton crease. Waterloo scored two more even strength goals by BENTON HAYES and MICHAEL KEATING before the end of the second period. Waterloo outshot Brampton 21-7 in the second frame scoring 6 goals and lead 6-2 after 2 periods.

The third period featured more physical play by both teams . Brampton took a number of penalties that lead to two Waterloo power play goals by BRETT SCHAEFFER and ALEX LYCETT. Waterloo outshot Brampton 47-19 in the game. The 8-2 Waterloo victory improved their record to 23 wins 8 losses and 3 overtime losses maintaining their first place position in the conference.

Waterloo added an experienced Defensemen last week – #20 ALEX TILEY – acquired in a transaction with the GEORGETOWN RAIDERS of the OJHL. Alex brings 4 years of junior experience to the Waterloo blue line.

Friday night Waterloo opened 2019 in Brampton against the Bombers. Waterloo gave up 3 power play goals and had to come back twice eventually winning the game 6-4 with an empty net marker. SAM CHERRY and ALEX LYCETT each scored a pair of goals with CHRISTIAN TAYLOR and CURTIS RAWN also scoring for Waterloo.

Waterloo sees action next Saturday night in Cambridge against the REDHAWKS before they return to Waterloo for their next home game against the Stratford Warriors-Game time: 1:30 at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.