Gehl OT hero as Trappers beat Eskis

IROQUOIS FALLS, ON – New Trappers captain Brad Gehl scored the game winner – his second of the game - just over a minute into overtime as the North Bay Jr. Trappers salvaged a 3-2 win over the Abitibi Eskimos at Jus Jordan arena Wednesday night.

"Whether or not I scored it it feels good to get a win in Abitibi's barn and to put us that much closer to them in the standings," said Brad Gehl about the goals and the win as the Trappers pull within 4 points of the Eskis.

The Eskimos were able to force the overtime session as Richard Therrien scored with less than a minute a half in regulation on a power play to even things at 2-2.

Ryan Brain and Gehl scored for in regulation as the Trappers held a 2-1 lead going into the 3rd period.

Jr. Trappers goalie Gianluca Palmieri made 38 saves for his 6th win of the season.

While Palmieri was pulled in his last start versus Sudbury, head coach Tom McCarthy believes his goalie bounced back in Iroquois Falls.

"Our goaltending was key, he was our best penalty killer of the night," McCarthy said about Palmieri's play.

"Timely saves at both ends made for an exciting game. We played a solid simple game for the most part with good chances,their goalie (J.P. Fecteau) seems to play very well against us.

"Even giving up a late goal power play goal - one more time we kept the charge and scored a big goal by Gehler to cap off a three point night for him. We expect the same approach tomorrow."

The Jr. Trappers are back on the ice Thursday night as they meet the Eskimos at 7 pm at Memorial Gardens.