Waterloo entered into the weekend in second spot in the Midwest conference with 12 games remaining. A two win weekend puts Waterloo back on top of the heap by one point.
Sunday’s game against the Kitchener Dutchmen was another quick turnaround after playing a physical match in Elmira Saturday night. Waterloo was already down TYLER DAM on the back end and lost defensemen JUSTIN ZUBER to an injury and defensemen ALEC TILEY to a suspension. It was an opportunity for others to play bigger roles in an important match with first place on the line.
The first period was scoreless despite 4 power play opportunities for the Dutchmen. The Siskins penalty kill unit was solid lead by goaltender MATT ONUSKA who was called on to make some timely saves (See Photo #1 of Jan 20, 2019 Album).
Kitchener opened the scoring at the 13:40 mark of the second period when CHRIS TAYLOR scored on a screen shot seconds after another Waterloo penalty expired. Kitchener scored again 1 minute into the third period after a horrible turnover behind the Siskins net. Waterloo’s CHRISTIAN TAYLOR got Waterloo within a goal pushing in a rebound off the glass that came directly back in front of the net (See Photo #2 of Jan 20, 2019 Album). Kitchener’s KYLE KENNERY regained the two goal lead with a quick release off a cleanly won faceoff to the left of the Waterloo goal… then the heroics for the Siskins.
Siskin’s net minder MATT ONUSKA made an outstanding save being left all alone in front with Kitchener sniper SEAN KAWALEC. Siskin’s JEFF SCHRATTNER circled back in front of the Waterloo goal to pick up the rebound and meandered the length of the ice through traffic beating Dutchmen tender LUCAS PATTON bar down to make it 3-2 with 3:25 left in the game. Waterloo pulled their goalie for an extra attacker with an offensive zone faceoff and 2 minutes and 7 seconds remaining. Waterloo’s ALEX LYCETT “one timed” a perfect pass across beating PATTON and tying the game at 3-3 just 7 seconds later.
In overtime it was all Waterloo. SAM SPAEDT scored 2:23 into the first overtime period short side off the post on what appeared to be a screened LUCAS PATTON and Waterloo completed the comeback for a second straight game (See Photo #3 of Jan 20, 2019 Album). Waterloo outshot Kitchener 37-29 despite giving Kitchener 7 power play opportunities. Waterloo d-man BLAKE PETERLE put in a solid performance on the back end for Waterloo playing some important minutes with 3 Waterloo defensemen out of the lineup.
Waterloo travelled to Elmira to face the Sugar Kings Saturday night. Waterloo clawed back from a 4-2 second period deficit to beat Elmira 5-4. ALEX LYCETT scored twice and leads the Siskins with goals netting 29 on the year. SAM SPAEDT, JEFF SCHRATTNER and BRETT SCHAEFER added single markers helping Waterloo with the victory. Elmira outshot Waterloo 39-26 on the night. Waterloo’s MACHUS TURNER was solid in net recording his 13th win on the season.
Waterloo is back in action again this weekend travelling to Stratford Friday night before returning home Sunday to face the ELIMRA SUGAR KINGS: Game time is 1:30 start at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.
