After being outscored 14-4 in their last three games against Stratford, the Listowel Cyclones turned the tables in Game 1 of their GOJHL Quarter-Final.
Listowel beat Stratford 5-2 Wednesday night and special teams played a role.
After Stratford took an early lead in the first period on an Evan Dowd tip in, Listowel tied it several minutes later on a sharp angled shot by Brenden Clayton.
The relatively quite first period would end 1-1.
Things heated up in the second period with more physical play. Warriors' defenceman Aaron Davidson gave Stratford the lead six minutes in. Then the Warriors would end up on a 5-on-3 at one point but could not score. But on the ensuing 5-on-4, Listowel forward Trent Verbeek picked up a loose puck at the defensive blue line and raced on a short handed breakaway and scored the tying goal.
The winner came in the third off the stick of Rylan Bowers on the power play, Listowel's only power play of the game.
Verbeek would score twice more in the third, including and empty net goal, to seal the win.
Listowel goalie Evan Morrison stopped 41 shots for the win. Stratford goalie Tyler Parr made 18 saves.
Game 2 is in Listowel Friday at 7:30 p.m.
