LISTOWEL, ONT. — The Listowel Cyclones scored three goals in 19 seconds late in the first period and received 28 saves from Jack Bree to defeat the Strathroy Rockets 5–1 on Friday night at the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex.
Ryan Cranny scored twice, while Ewan Muzzell and Trent Houghton each recorded three points as the Cyclones earned their first win of the GOHL season in their fourth game. The victory provided a decisive response to the previous Saturday’s 6–3 loss in Strathroy.
After more than 18 scoreless minutes, Roman Shtefan opened the scoring at 18:15 with his first goal of the season, assisted by Victor Moody.
Cranny followed just 10 seconds later, scoring his first of the campaign with assists from Houghton and Muzzell. Nine seconds after that, Muzzell added his first, with Ethan Fischer and Houghton drawing the assists. The sudden burst turned a scoreless game into a 3–0 Listowel lead before the first intermission.
The Cyclones carried that scoring touch into the second period. Cranny added his second of the night at 2:20, with Houghton and Muzzell again providing the assists to extend the advantage to 4–0.
Strathroy got on the board at 7:37 of the second, but Bree allowed nothing further. He stopped 28 of 29 shots over the full 60 minutes, holding the Rockets scoreless in the opening and closing periods to secure the victory.
Heath Bradley completed the scoring at 15:24 of the third period. His third goal of the season, assisted by Shayne Keefe and Thomas Paleczny, restored Listowel’s four goal cushion with 4:36 remaining.
Houghton’s three assists came on consecutive Listowel goals, while Muzzell finished with a goal and two assists. In all, nine Cyclones recorded at least one point.
Listowel now faces a quick turnaround as the Cyclones travel to meet the Sarnia Legionnaires on Saturday, September 26. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., with the game streamed live on FloHockey.
–Listowel Cyclones Hockey Club
