The Listowel Cyclones started the season with 10 rookies but looked like a team full of veterans.
The Cyclones punched their ticket to a third straight Cherrey Cup appearance in the GOJHL with a 5-1 win over Kitchener to clinch their semi-final in five games.
Luke Israel scored his third power play goal in two games to get the ball rolling for Listowel at the 7:39 mark of the first period. Then Trent Verbeek scored just 37 seconds later to give Listowel a 2-0 lead.
The team never relinquished the lead, scoring two more power play goals in the second period courtesy of Jonah White and Holdyn Lansink.
Kitchener would break the shut out at the 4:55 mark of the third period, also on the power play. Then Lansink would score his second of the game at 13:25 giving him 22 points in just nine playoff games.
Evan Morrison made 25 saves in the Listowel net to keep his GAA under 1.00 (it's at 0.97) and his save percentage sits at .962.
For Israel, it's been a bit of a relief being able to contribute.
"At the end of the first series, our first power play unit kind of dried up and it's always good to get the rolling," said Israel. "And the later you get into playoffs, the more important special teams is."
Listowel was 4-for-8 in Game 5 and has the second unit in the GOJHL sitting at 32.25%. Niagara Falls is sitting at 44.68%.
Israel came to Listowel late in the season after playing in Elmira for 29 games. The team looking for more depth at centre at the time.
"It's a pretty infectious culture that you want to buy into," said Israel.
As for what's ahead, Listowel coach Jason Brooks says they have to focus a little longer.
"We have to focus on ourselves, we have to make sure we play our game," said Brooks. "That's all we have been asking for all playoff, is we just play our game and give ourselves a chance."
Discipline wasn't the team's strongest suit in the series, going short handed 30 times against the Dutchmen including some 5-on-3's.
"Yes I would like not to take so many (penalties) but at the same time we have to play hard, we have to play with some emotion and keep it in check as best we can," added Brooks.
The Cyclones will face either Waterloo or Stratford in the 2019 edition of the Cherrey Cup.
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Waterloo 5 Stratford 2
The Waterloo Siskins got their starting goaltender back and Matt Onuska made 20 saves in the Siskins' 5-2 win over Stratford to go up 3-2 in the series.
Stratford opened up the scoring in the first period on the power play with Kameron Shearer credited with the goal.
But then Waterloo scored three straight, Alec Tiley and Sam Spaedt later in the first then Spaedt again in the second. The first and third goals on the power play.
Hugh Anderson would score on the power play for Stratford to pull the Warriors to within one midway through the second period but the Siskins pulled away in the third period. Owen Lane and Winston Cestnick ending it.
Game 6 is in Waterloo on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
