Malo Plays Hero in Overtime as Norfolk Knights Take Game One of Southern Counties Final

Port Dover, ON

Playoff hockey rarely follows a script.

On Wednesday night inside Port Dover Arena, the Norfolk Knights U16A team learned that lesson in dramatic fashion. A late tying goal forced overtime, but when the moment arrived, Michael Malo delivered the finish that put Norfolk one step closer to the OMHA tournament.

Malo scored the overtime winner on the power play as the Knights defeated the South Oxford Storm 2 to 1 in Game 1 of the Southern Counties U16A Finals. The victory gives Norfolk an early edge in the best three out of five series with the winner advancing to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association championships. The OMHA tournament brings together top teams from across the province competing for the ultimate prize in Ontario minor hockey.

The Knights did not waste time establishing themselves.

Michael Malo opened the scoring early in the game, finishing a strong shift that gave Norfolk the first lead of the night. But the Storm quickly pushed back, creating pressure and forcing Norfolk goaltender Tyken DeWaele to be sharp.

For long stretches of the game, DeWaele was the difference.

South Oxford generated several quality opportunities, particularly during the first half of the second period when the Storm controlled possession and momentum. Each time the Knights bent, DeWaele stood tall, turning aside shots and allowing his team to stay within reach of the win.

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Knights coach Gord Malo pointed to that goaltending performance as a turning point.

“It was a great, hard fought, tight game tonight. Both teams battled hard. We had a lot of chances we just could not bury so it was key how Tyken DeWaele made some key saves for us as the game progressed.”

Just when it appeared Norfolk might close out the game in regulation, South Oxford found one last push.

With only 18 seconds remaining in the third period, the Storm tied the game, stunning the Port Dover crowd and forcing overtime in Game 1 of the finals.

But playoff hockey has a way of producing heroes.

In overtime the Knights earned a power play opportunity and wasted little time making it count. Michael Malo stepped up once again, finding the back of the net for his second goal of the night and sending the Norfolk bench into celebration.

Coach Malo admitted the overtime winner came with a sense of relief.

“Credit to South Oxford for tying it late in the third. A nice power play goal in OT was certainly a relief. Game 2 promises to be a good one Saturday.”

The Knights now turn their focus to Game 2, which will be played Saturday, March 14 in South Oxford. Game 3 will return to Port Dover on Sunday night at 8 pm with a trip to the OMHA tournament on the line.

Norfolk entered the season the top teams in the Southern Counties league, finishing with a strong regular season record and establishing themselves as an OMHA contender.

Now they are just two wins away from turning that season into something bigger.

For one night at least, the story belonged to Michael Malo and Tyken DeWaele.

One scored the biggest goal of the game.
The other made sure the opportunity existed.

And the Norfolk Knights moved one step closer to the provincial stage.

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