Ayr, ONT. — The Listowel Cyclones delivered a composed and productive road performance on Sunday, August 23, earning a 6-3 pre-season victory over the Ayr Centennials at the North Dumfries Community Centre.
The afternoon contest began with a 2:30 p.m. puck drop and saw the Cyclones score three unanswered power-play goals to take control of a game that had been tied on three separate occasions.
Shayne Keefe and Thomas Paleczny led the Listowel offence with four points apiece. Keefe recorded two goals and two assists, while Paleczny contributed one goal and three assists. Heath Bradley added three assists as the Cyclones received production throughout the lineup.
Ayr opened the scoring 3:16 into the first period, but the Cyclones required only 96 seconds to respond. Keefe brought Listowel level at 4:52, converting a setup from Paleczny for his first goal of the pre-season.
Tate Berfelz gave Listowel its first lead at 9:54. Gryphon Turner and Bradley collected the assists as the Cyclones carried a 2-1 advantage into the first intermission.
Ayr tied the contest with a power-play goal just 41 seconds into the second period. Listowel answered again at 10:14 when Keefe scored his second goal of the afternoon, with Bradley and Paleczny combining on the setup.
After Ayr made it 3-3 at 15:38, the Cyclones’ power play took control of the game.
Grayden McKnight restored Listowel’s lead exactly one minute later, scoring on the man advantage from Keefe at 16:38. The goal sent the Cyclones into the second intermission holding a 4-3 advantage.
Listowel continued to apply pressure in the third period. Paleczny extended the lead with another power-play goal at 4:53, assisted by Bradley.
Zasha Ortman completed the scoring at 8:05, finishing a power-play opportunity created by Keefe and Paleczny to give the Cyclones a commanding three-goal advantage.
Jack Bree and Quinn Ceaser shared the Listowel crease. Bree started the game and made five saves on seven shots over 29:46 of action. Ceaser entered at 9:46 of the second period and turned aside 11 of the 12 shots he faced over the final 30:14, earning the victory.
The Cyclones protected the lead the rest of the way, keeping Ayr off the scoresheet throughout the third period and closing out the 6-3 result.
Listowel’s special teams proved decisive, producing the game’s final three goals on consecutive power-play opportunities. The Cyclones also demonstrated resilience at even strength, responding each time Ayr erased an earlier lead before firmly taking control over the final 23 minutes.
With five different goal scorers, several multi-point performances and contributions from both goaltenders, the victory represented a balanced team effort as the Cyclones continued their preparations for the upcoming GOHL regular season.
The Cyclones return to pre-season action on Friday, August 28, at the Steve Kerr Memorial Arena in Listowel. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
-Listowel Cyclones Hockey Club
