The 2017 Cherrey Cup Champions, Listowel Cyclones. (Photo by Ryan Drury)The 2017 Cherrey Cup Champions, Listowel Cyclones. (Photo by Ryan Drury)
Midwestern

Cyclones' Season Ends In Overtime

The Listowel Cyclones' season has come to an end after a 3-2 overtime loss to the London Nationals in Game 5 of the Sutherland Cup Semi-final Friday night.

The game, just like the season, had memorable moments. From big saves by both goatlenders to a tying goal for Listowel with just 26 seconds left in regulation.

For some it means the end of their tenure with Listowel and for others it means a bit of a break until gearing up for next season.

Goalie Brock Baier is expected to compete for a spot with the Windsor Spitfires next season but has made his mark in Cyclones' history.

The just turned 18-year old from Stratford, his birthday was April 20th, turned away 38 shots in the season's final game. He was stellar all year long and carried a 1.67 GAA and .943 save percentage through 19 playoff games.

But for him, the companionship was key in making things work at the beginning of the year.

"You know, coming out of the gate 10-0, that's a good boost," said Baier. "A couple of games in our chemistry started to hit and we had faith. We had belief in our dressing room and stuck with it through the regular season."

And it was things off the ice that kept things loose.

"Great group of guys. We laughed, we had fun. It was exciting to come to the rink," said Baier.

Listowel native Caleb Warren was a co-captain of the team.

"We can't hang our heads at all," said Warren. "You know to battle back in that game and to tie it up to go to OT shows the resiliancy of this team. Even though we lost it's a good way to end the season. We won the Cherrey Cup and have to be proud of that."

Warren is one of four Listowel born players on the team. Blake Nichol, Keaton Willis and Mitch Deelstra are the others.

The roster was filled with players from across Midwesten Ontario communities.

Port Elgin, Kincardine and Chesley in Bruce County.

Owen Sound, Hanover and Proton Station in Grey County.

Goderich, Clinton and Exeter in Huron County.

Palmerston and Guelph in Wellington County.

And Stratford and Shakespeare.

The roster was rounded out by players from Tillsonburg and Springfield, MA.

(The official Listowel Cyclones roster can be found here)

As for Game 5 itself, Listowel forward Cullen Mercer opened the scoring at 6:13 into the third period when he snuck a puck between the toe and post of London goal Cameron Zanussi.

But Brandon Glover scored just 44 seconds later in a scramble in front of the Listowel net. Quinn Lenihan scored the go ahead goal on the power play with just 1:38 left to play in the third period.

Listowel pressed and with 26 seconds left in the third period, Chayse Herrfort scored the equalizer with the extra attacker on the ice.

Overtime settled things as Breandon Glover scored for the second time in the game. A rolling puck near the side of the net was picked up by London and Richard Whittaker found Glover streaking to the net for the winning goal.

London will go on to face the winner of Elmira-Caledonia in the Sutherland Cup Final.

Caledonia beat Elmira 2-0 to make the series 3-2 in favour of the Sugar Kings. Game 6 is Sunday at 2:00pm in Elmira.

As for the Cyclones' head coach, Jason Brooks, he fought his own battles this season but also kept a focus on the team.

"They're a special group," said Brooks. "A lot of those guys have been with me for three years. You form bonds with your players."

Brooks underwent radiation therapy in parts of February and March for a benign brain tumour.

"Perfection is something you will never achieve necessarily. But the journey to try and accomplish that is what drives me to push these guys to get to that point," said Brooks. "The dressing room was wonderful and I can't thank them enough for everything they have done this year."

You can listen to the full interview with Jason Brooks and Ryan Drury below, and check out Ryan's photo gallery from game 5:

[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/RyanWithBrooks.mp3"][/audio]

The Listowel Cyclones and London Nationals shake hands after a hard fought 5 game series ended in overtime, with the Nationals taking the series 4-1. (Photo by Ryan Drury) The Listowel Cyclones and London Nationals shake hands after a hard fought 5 game series ended in overtime, with the Nationals taking the series 4-1. (Photo by Ryan Drury)

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