LISTOWEL CYCLONES WIN 2018 OHA SUTHERLAND CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
By: Chris McLachlin, OHA Media
Photo: OHA Media
The Listowel Cyclones won their first GOJHL OHA Sutherland Cup Championship tonight with a 4-1 win over the Caledonia Pro-Fit Corvairs in Game 4, sweeping the best of seven series in four straight. This is the first time the Cyclones have won the Sutherland Cup since moving to Junior B in 1979.The Cyclones have won back-to-back Cherrey Cups as GOJHL Midwestern Conference Champions and have capped off their best season with a Sutherland Cup Championship.
The Cyclones set the tone for the series in Game 1, taking a three goal lead just over 20 minutes into the game, and although Caledonia fought back to make it close, it was Listowel with the 4-3 win. Caleb Warren scored twice and Holdyn Lansink scored the eventual game winning goal in the third as the Cyclones took the early 1-0 series lead. Caledonia outshot Listowel 32-27 but Max Wright stood tall in the Cyclones’ net for the win.
Game 2 back in Listowel saw the home side jump out to a 3-0 lead after one period and an early goal in the second stood as the eventual game winner as the Cyclones won Game 2 by the score of 6-3. Jamey Lauzon scored twice for Caledonia, while Cullen Mercer scored twice and added two assists for a four point night for Listowel. For the second straight game Caledonia outshot Listowel 32-25 but once again Wright grabbed the win for the Cyclones.
Caledonia was looking to rebound in Game 3 back on home ice but Listowel’s Chayse Herrfort scored two power play goals to account for the only scoring in the game as Max Wright stopped all 36 Corvairs’ shots to earn the shutout and put the Cyclones up 3-0 in the series.
In Game 4 in Listowel the teams skated through a scoreless first period but once again the Cyclones scored three straight to open up a 3-0 advantage over the Corvairs on goals from Mercer, Mitch Deelstra and Lansink. Caledonia’s Owen Lane got the Corvairs on the board with a short handed marker before the end of the second period as Listowel took a 3-1 lead into the third. Despite constant pressure in the third, the Corvairs were unable to beat Wright again and Listowel’s Blake Nichol scored into the empty net in the final minute to seal the deal for the Cyclones and defeat the Corvairs 4-1 in the game and 4-0 in the series.
Listowel goaltender Max Wright was named MVP as the netminder was outstanding throughout the playoffs and was dominant in the Championship series as Caledonia outshot Listowel in every game but were unable to get enough pucks past Wright to win a game.
Click here for a list of past OHA Sutherland Cup Champions
Click here for the 2018 GOJHL Playoffs Brackets
2018 GOJHL OHA SUTHERLAND CUP CHAMPIONSHIP:
Game 1: Wed. Apr. 25 - Listowel 4 at Caledonia 3
Game 2: Fri. Apr. 27 - Caledonia 3 at Listowel 6
Game 3: Sat. Apr. 28 - Listowel 2 at Caledonia 0
Game 4: Tue. May 1 - Caledonia 1 at Listowel 4
(Listowel wins the series 4-0)
