ST. THOMAS, ONT. — Thomas Paleczny scored his 11th goal of the season, but the Listowel Cyclones opened their two-game weekend road trip with a 5–1 loss to the St. Thomas Stars on Friday night.
The Cyclones cut a two-goal deficit to one midway through the second period before the Stars answered less than three minutes later. Two St. Thomas goals in a 24-second span in the third period put the game beyond Listowel’s reach.
Ewan Muzzell and Ethan Fischer assisted on Paleczny’s goal, while Jack Bree played all 60 minutes in net for Listowel.
St. Thomas opened the scoring at 2:55 of the first period and added to its lead at 15:18. The Cyclones registered nine shots to the Stars’ 12 in the opening frame and entered the first intermission trailing 2–0.
Listowel increased its shot output in the second period, outshooting St. Thomas 12–11. The Cyclones broke through at 10:14, when Paleczny scored to make it 2–1.
Muzzell collected his seventh assist of the season on the play, while Fischer added his 15th. Paleczny’s goal brought Listowel within striking distance with nearly half the game remaining.
St. Thomas responded at 13:11, restoring its two-goal cushion just 2:57 after Paleczny’s marker. Despite the Cyclones’ improved shot production in the middle frame, they went into the second intermission facing a 3–1 deficit.
Listowel remained within two through the opening nine minutes of the third period before the Stars struck twice in quick succession.
St. Thomas extended its lead to 4–1 at 9:17, then scored again at 9:41. The 24-second burst left the Cyclones facing a four-goal deficit with just over half the final period remaining.
Listowel registered 10 shots in the third, bringing its total to 31, but was unable to add to Paleczny’s second-period goal. St. Thomas recorded 16 shots in the final frame as it closed out the victory.
The Cyclones now have a quick turnaround as their weekend road trip continues Saturday, November 14, against the Komoka Kings at the Komoka Wellness Centre.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. EST, with Listowel looking to finish the weekend with a road victory. Fans can watch the game live on Flo-Hockey
-Listowel Cyclones Hockey Club
