Beautiful afternoon in the Waterloo Region to take in what should be a great hockey game between the visiting Guelph Hurricanes (15-10-1) and the hometown Waterloo Siskins (17-6-2) here at the lovely Waterloo Memorial Rec Complex.
Player To Watch:
Christian Mroczkowski, the Siskins leading scorer and captain has nineteen goals and twenty one assists in twenty four games this year. The veteran of one hundred and eighteen games is closing in on one hundred and fifty points in his Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League career. Christian is in his final season of eligibility. in the GOJHL. There is no doubt in my mind that the NCAA will be calling his name shortly. Christian has done a fine job as his Siskins sit third in the Midwestern conference with 36 points heading into Sunday’s action.
Game Report:
First period
The first period started out with both teams showing a lot pressure early on, as both teams began exchanging hits 1-for-1. At the 8:23 mark of the period Siskins defender Eric Cimino took a costly charging penalty as Guelph would eventually go on to score one minute into the powerplay on a weak glove hand shot by Ryan Migliaccio to put the Hurricanes up 1-0. However the penalties would not stop there for the Siskins as they would go on to take two more minor penalties for a total of three in a little over just 5 minutes. The Siskins penalty killers were up to the task and stood strong on the penalty kill moving forward as they were clearing out the front of the net, blocking shots, and taking away the shooting lanes from the Hurricane’s shooters. Waterloo would continue to push the play until rookie forward and Waterloo native Chase Campbell accepted a beautiful pass from defender Matt Martin cross crease to tie the game at 1 going into the first intermission.
Second period
The second period started out a bit slow but much like the first the physical play continued, as both teams where physical along the boards and in the defensive zone. Waterloo got on the board first in the second period when they capitalized on a Guelph Hurricane tripping penalty by Sebastian Stangherlin. Kyle Betts would go on to score his eighth goal of the season on some clean passing with assists going to the ever smooth skating Josh De Farias, the London Knight’s prospect and Gary Mantz who picked up his second assist of the game on the goal. The Siskins weren’t done there as captain Christian Mroczkowski would score his twentieth goal of the season and 150th GOJHL point. The Siskins however could not keep up their hot start to the second period as Guelph would get back on the score clock as Migliaccio would score his second goal of the game on the power play at the eight minute mark of the second, and just 1:47 seconds later Guelph would add another marker as Sam Natale would tie the game up after relentless pressure was put on by the Hurricanes on Waterloo goaltender Evgeny Kiselev the Russian born product. Guelph would go on and add another goal to take a 4-3 lead going into the second intermission as Chad Herron would take a pass from Migliaccio and Sheehan Kirkwood and bury it for the go ahead.
Third Period
The Waterloo Siskins didn’t waste any time trying to get back into the game as Just 3:21 seconds into the period Jordan Kreller tied the game at 4 on his second goal of the campaign. Guelph continued to apply lots of pressure, getting lots of shots but in the end Kiselev stood strong. Sixty minutes wasn’t enough time to determine this game so for the second game in a row the Siskins would need extra time. Shots after sixty were twenty nine for the Hurricanes and twenty three for the hometown Siskins.
Overtime
After less than 24 hours had passed since the Siskins let an extra point slip away at the hands of the Cambridge WinterHawks, the Siskins were determined early in overtime to make sure they got the full two points in this one as just twenty nine seconds into the extra frame on the only registered shot on goal, Christian Mroczkowski scored on a two on one break for the Siskins to seal this one for the eighteenth victory of the year.
Game notes:
- Announced attendance was 267.
- I caught up with the coach after the game, Andrew DeGroot is his name. I could tell the minute I met him that he is someone that the players want to play for and aspiring coaches want to work alongside him. Andrew went on to say that his aim for the Siskins is to build an organization that player’s want to play in and in my opinion, his staff as well as management are well on their way to that.
- Waterloo Siskins finished the week 2-0-1. They beat the Kitchener Dutchmen 5-3 on Tuesday, lost in a shootout Saturday to Cambridge 2-1, and won today at home in overtime 5-4.
- Siskins captain Christian Mroczkowski is currently riding a hot streak. Hot month actually. Christian has had at least one point in every game in November. He finished off the month with twenty two points in ten games.
Upcoming Games
The Siskins upcoming home games are on:
- Saturday December 6th VS Kitchener Dutchmen at 7:30pm
- Sunday December 14th VS Cambridge Winter hawks 1:30pm
The Waterloo Siskins provide some of the greatest entertainment for your dollar. In Waterloo Region we may be blessed with Junior hockey but there is something really special about the Waterloo Siskins who are fresh off of a Cherrey Cup championship last season and itching to get back there. In today’s hockey world, it is very hard to enjoy a pop, a hot dog, and the game on a budget. The Siskins prove that you can. The Siskins provide the most reasonable prices for hockey in the Waterloo region. It’s worth the time and the money.
Ticket Pricing:
All Tickets will be available at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex
Single Tickets:
Single game tickets can be purchased from the box office 1 hour before each game
Adults: $10
Students (13+): $8
Seniors (60+): $8
Children 12 and under: $6
Children 3 and under: Free Admission
Family 4 pack: $25
(2 adults and 2 children)
Flex Packs – 25 tickets per bundle:
Flex Packs can be purchased, in the Lobby, on game day
Adults: $150
Students (13+): $120
Seniors (60+): $120
Children 3 and under: Free admission
Family: $350
(2 adults and 2 students/seniors/children)
I just want to say that I am still fairly new to the writing business. Much like the Siskins hockey club, I too am trying to develop into something more. Moving forward I will be providing game reports, annual Siskins reports, player and coaches interviews. I want to provide the hockey community with a chance to see who these young men are off the ice as well. Any suggestions you may have you can reach me at .
