Kitchener Dutchmen forward Kyle Kennery looks on during a game against the Listowel Cyclones on Tuesday night.

Kitchener rides three-goal first period to win over Listowel 

The Kitchener Dutchmen are riding the play of their captain and leading scorer as they keep climbing up the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Midwestern Conference hierarchy. Sean Kawalec is off to the best start of his GOJHL career as he has his Dutchmen demanding respect in the crowded Midwest, and Kitchener continued its hot streak on Tuesday night hosting the Listowel Cyclones. 

The Dutchies opened the scoring just over four minutes into the game on Tuesday, as Nathan Smilsky scored his eighth of the season and his fourth in the last three games. Mitch Lee was quick to make it 2-0 Kitchener with his fourth, and Jordan White restored the two-goal lead for the Dutchmen less than a minute after Tyler Hotson cut it to one for Listowel. The Dutchies outshot the Cycs 17-11 in the period. 

Carrying a 3-1 lead into the second, Kitchener did not let its collective foot off the gas. Alex Peterson converted on a nifty passing play started by Kawalec, who gave it off to Braden Bowman who then found Peterson back-door for his fourth goal of the year. The 20-year-old defenseman from Kenora now has 17 points in just 13 games and is only 11 points off his GOJHL career high. The assists were Kawalec and Bowman’s second each of the night. 

Listowel made the game exciting in the third period, as Carter McLiwain scored on a powerplay in the frame and Rylan Bowers brought the Cyclones to within one with two minutes to play. Kitchener goaltender Lucas Patton stood tall in the final moments, though, and the Dutchmen held on to win, 4-3. Patton made 27 saves in a victorious effort, while Evan Morrison stopped 35 of 39 shots in the loss. His two assists give Kawalec 25 points in 13 games this season, which is tied for second place among GOJHL skaters, two behind London’s Cal Davis. 

The win puts Kitchener in a tie with Elmira and Cambridge atop the Midwestern Conference, leapfrogging Listowel, which sits one point shy of the trio. Both teams are back in action tonight, with the Cyclones hosting the Cambridge Redhawks, and the Dutchmen visiting the Stratford Warriors.