LISTOWEL – The LDSS junior boys’ hockey team had a short but highly-successful season, entering two competitive tournaments this spring.
On March 24, the Lightning travelled to Clinton where they attended a single-day event hosted by Central Huron Secondary School. In game one, LDSS defeated F.E. Madill by a score of 2-1. Goal scorers were Ayden Arent and Nich McLean.
Following the first game, Arent placed second overall in the speed skating skills competition. The skating relay team of Kenzie Siebenga, Rylan Heimpel, Karch Fletcher and Jaxson Beirnes also finished second overall in the skills competition.
In game two, the Lightning defeated Goderich by a score of 2-1. Goal scorers were Arent and Beirnes, who netted the game winner with seven seconds remaining in regulation time.
These victories sent Listowel to the championship game against host Central Huron. Unfortunately fatigue had set in – being the third game of the day – and Listowel dropped a 6-1 decision to a very strong Clinton squad that featured several Huron-Perth AAA Lakers players. Henry Meulensteen scored the lone goal for the Lightning in the championship game. Ryan Antoniadis was solid between the pipes all day.
On April 12-13, the junior boys participated in the Canlan Spring Classic Tournament, which was a two-day event held at York University.
LDSS began round robin play by defeating St. Mary’s-Hamilton by a score of 3-0. Fletcher scored twice, and Tate Leader added one in the Lightning victory.
In game two, the boys dropped a 4-2 decision to Lakeshore-Port Colbourne. Arent scored both goals for the Lightning in the loss.
In the last game of the round robin, LDSS faced a very tough team from Bishop Ryan-Hamilton and were defeated by a score of 2-0.
This sent the Lightning to the consolation championship, where they once again faced St. Mary’s-Hamilton. LDSS dominated from start to finish en route to a lopsided 10-0 shutout victory. Fletcher netted five goals while Caleb Cartwright and Siebenga both added two each. Meulensteen also scored in the win. Noah Arent was strong in net throughout the two-day event, recording two shutouts.
