GREAT GOALTENDING AND TEAM DEFENCE GET WATERLOO SISKINS ONE GAME CLOSER

April 5, 2019

The Waterloo Siskins are within one victory of winning the Cherry Cup after a 2-0 win against the Listowel Cyclones last night in front of 1,296 fans at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex. The Siskins boasted a full line up Thursday night with CHRISTAIN TAYLOR returning after missing Game #4 with an undisclosed injury.

The Siskins got off to a slow start in the first period. The team seemed lethargic having some trouble moving the puck. Siskins gave up a number of good scoring chances to Listowel early. MATT ONNUSKA (The games first star) was called on to make several strong saves to keep Listowel off the Board.  Waterloo scored what ended up the game winner at 16:19 of the opening period. ALEX LYCETT finished off a beautiful passing play from SAM SPAEDT and JOSEPH SERPA in what many fans called “the prettiest goal of the season”). Waterloo left the period up 1-0 despite being outshot 12-11 in the frame.

The second period featured 4 total power plays – two for each team. Both Waterloo and Listowel were doing everything they could to get sticks and bodies in the shooting lanes limiting the shot opportunities for two very potent team power play units. The period was scoreless and the shots were 9-8 in favor of Waterloo.

The third period featured outstanding discipline and team defense by the Waterloo Siskins. Waterloo frustrated the Cyclones into two penalties and if not for the great goaltending of the games second star Evan Morrison, Waterloo would have pulled away in the game.  Waterloo provided ONUSKA with lots of support allowing Matt to manage his rebounds and limiting second shots. MATT PRUCHA put the game on ice at the 18:50 mark when he wound his way through the neutral zone avoiding checks and scored into an empty Cyclone net.

Listowel was 0 for 4 on the powerplay and Waterloo was 0 for 5. The final shots were in favor of Waterloo 34-28.

Game 5 is tonight (Friday, April 5th) in Listowel with a 7:30 start. Waterloo leads the series 3 games to one and can win the Cherry Cup on the road to wrap up this intense conference final.