Each week, Ryan Drury will preview the CKNX Cherrey Buslines OHA Hockey match-up, with pre-game analysis, reports, and quotes from the 2 teams.
2 teams face off tonight in very different positions. One is looking to maintain and widen their divisional lead, while the other looks to gain ground and solidify their place among the upper half of the Midwest.
The Listowel Cyclones continue to have a great year in defense of their Cherrey Cup run last year. They now hold sole possession of first place with 32 points over Stratford who remain at 28. The Cycs also continue to put up big offensive totals, helped along by a 6-1 demolition of rival Elmira last Friday. Holdyn Lansink took a rough run from behind in that game but by all accounts he should be ready to rock against the Dutchmen. Head Coach Jason Brooks says he was happy with how the team played last weekend, and really just wants to see the penalty minutes continue to come down.
Kitchener have had a bit more trouble finding consistent footing so far this year. These aren't the high flying Dutchmen of seasons past, but Listowel can't take a night off against a gritty unit that would love to put another tick in the "L" column for the Cyclones. When you're in first, a target's on your back, and the Dutchmen will have their sights set on making this a difficult night. They do have some dangerous talent up front in Ben Morris, 31 points, and Austin Gaboury, 25 points. Those 2 pose a problem for any d-core when they step over the boards. They're supplemented nicely by Sean Kawalec, 17 points, and Liam Hurley, 13 points, to round out their top scoring forwards. The battle between those guys and the Lansink's, Mercer's, and Herrfort's on the Listowel side will be a key factor in just how much damage the Dutchmen can inflict.
Defensively, it's been a tough ride early on for Kitchener. 20 games in and they've allowed a division-high 77 goals, a big reason why they're tied for 5th with 16 points with Brampton. Offense from the blue line hasn't been a huge issue, with Chris Taylor, 13 points, and David Kiss, 10 points, both putting up double digits so far. But the team as a whole has to figure out how to not let the floodgates open early and often on them. A big reason why they trail often? The Dutchmen lead the division by a wide margin in PIMs with 520, Listowel in second with just 445. That has to change, especially if the Dutchmen plan on improving their 4-6-0 record on the road tonight against a Cycs team that's 8-0. Listowel's D on the other side? A division low 34 goals against. Next closest? Stratford. With 55.
In goal, Kitchener leans on Riley Daniels, who has started 13 of their games and certainly can't be faulted for the gaudy goal totals against his team. They're often short-handed in front of him, and he's been forced to make 356 saves in those 13 starts. For the math nuts out there, that's an average of 27.3 a night. Not unmanageable, but when a lot of those are on a power play, they'll find their way in. Despite the onslaught, Daniels has a 3.15 GAA and a respectable .897 save percentage. If the team stops the penalty box march and tightens up, his numbers will rise. He will likely start tonight for Kitchener. For Listowel, whether it's Max Wright or Justin Herrgott, they know they'll get a quality start. They're the best goalie duo in the division, and Max Wright has been excellent in place of the departed Brock Baier. If that keeps up, Listowel may run that undefeated 8-0 home record well into Christmas.
It should be an interesting contest tonight. Let's see what the Dutchmen can muster up as they look to claw up into the upper half of the division. Myself and Scott Bridge have the call at The Memorial at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy the action.