Listowel, Ont — The Listowel Cyclones wrapped up a demanding weekend of GOHL hockey with a statement victory on home ice and a hard-fought rivalry battle on the road, while also welcoming a new addition to the lineup who made an immediate impact.
Prior to Friday night’s contest, the Cyclones officially signed forward Timothy Kraayenbrink from the Caledon Bombers. Kraayenbrink previously spent time with the Huron-Perth Lakers, where he recorded eight points on four goals and four assists during the regular season and added a goal in the playoffs. Known for his ability to contribute in meaningful moments, Kraayenbrink wasted no time settling in with his new club.
On Friday, January 16th, the Cyclones returned to the Steve Kerr Memorial Arena for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop against the Strathroy Rockets. The opening period saw the Rockets strike first, scoring the lone goal of the frame. Listowel responded with composure and urgency in the second period, turning the game firmly in their favour.
Hudson Wiles opened the Cyclones’ scoring on the power play, finishing a well-executed setup from Colton Henderson and Lyndon Cabral. The momentum continued as Jordan Visneskie found the back of the net shortly after, with assists credited to Wiles and Trenton Harris. The highlight moment of the night followed when Timothy Kraayenbrink scored his first goal as a Cyclone, converting a play created by Trent Houghton and Harris to give Listowel a commanding lead heading into the third period.
The Cyclones showed no signs of slowing down in the final frame. Lyndon Cabral extended the lead with a power-play goal, again assisted by Wiles and Henderson, capping off a strong night for the trio. Jason O’Donnell closed out the scoring with an empty-net goal, with Visneskie and Cabral picking up the assists. In goal, Ethan Kowatsch delivered a steady performance, turning aside 27 shots as the Cyclones earned an emphatic 5–1 victory.
Two nights later, on Sunday, January 18th, the Cyclones travelled down Highway 86 to face the Elmira Sugar Kings in another chapter of the long-standing “Battle of 86” rivalry. The intensity was evident from the opening puck drop. Jack O’Donnell gave Listowel the early edge with an unassisted goal in the first period, but Elmira responded to even the score before the intermission.
The Sugar Kings took the lead early in the second period, only to see the Cyclones answer back once again. Jack O’Donnell scored his second goal of the night on the power play, finishing a setup from Colton Henderson and Lyndon Cabral. The assist marked Cabral’s 20th of the season, a notable milestone. Elmira responded later in the period to regain the lead heading into the third.
In the final frame, Colton Henderson brought the Cyclones level with a goal assisted by Bradley Wilhelm, setting the stage for a tense finish. Despite Listowel’s push, the Sugar Kings found the go-ahead goal, handing the Cyclones a narrow 4–3 defeat in a tightly contested rivalry matchup.
The Cyclones will now look ahead to their next home game on Friday, January 23rd, when they welcome the Komoka Kings to the Steve Kerr Memorial Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as Listowel aims to defend home ice and build on the positives from a strong weekend performance.
— Listowel Cyclones Hockey Club
