Listowel eliminates Bethel, Floradale advances in playoffs

FLORADALE 1 COMMUNITY 0

Game three of the best-of-three NDCHL ‘A’ Division semi-finals produced a hard fought contest. After three scoreless periods the game was forced into sudden death overtime. But it took two overtime periods for a winner to emerge.

A loose puck left for Corey Wideman made the difference. Wideman went to the net and slipped the puck into the right corner for the winning goal.

The win advances Floradale to the ‘A’ Division Finals against Drayton.

Colin Horst turned away 33 shots in the Floradale net for the shutout.

LISTOWEL 2  BETHEL 1

With the best-of-three ‘B’ Division semifinals tied at one game each, this was the deciding game.

Bethel opened the scoring in the final seconds of the first period. A pass from the left boards by Tom Schuurmans left the puck between the goalie’s pads. Mark Paisley jammed the puck through to earn the goal.

Listowel tied the game early in the second. A rush at the net ended with Curtis Wagler snapping the puck into the short side corner, assisted by Josh Shantz.

The tie held through the third period to send the game into sudden death overtime. With 20 seconds left on the clock, Travis Kuepfer dug the puck out along the boards and teed up Travis Shantz at the point. Shantz rifled a slap shot through the crowd to send the puck into the net.

The win advances Listowel to the ‘B’ Division finals.