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Trappers goalie gets emergency victory at Telus Cup

'It was a once in a lifetime experience and I was grateful for the opportunity'
TrappersRainvilleISO
Joel Rainville exchanged his Trappers red and white jersey for the red and white of the Lethbridge Hurricanes. File photo.

Local goaltender Joel Rainville was disappointed when the North Bay AAA Trappers fell in the Great North Midget League final for the second year in a row at the hands of the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves back in March. 

However, the Trappers goalie got an unexpected surprise. 

With the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves hosting the Telus Cup this week, the tournament required an emergency goaltender on standby in case one of the six teams had a goaltender fall to injury. 

It was a strange situation for Joel Rainville but he did get the call. 

Rainville came as a spectator on the opening night on Monday and watched from the stands as the rival Wolves fell 2-1 at the hands Team Pacific reps, the Lethbridge Hurricanes. 

Little did he know only a couple days later he would be dressing and playing for the Pacific champs.  

The emergency call came when the Hurricanes lost goalie Byron Fancy to injury on Wednesday in a 3-3 tie with the Toronto Young Nationals.  

With the Hurricanes sporting a 2-1-1 record and had clinched a semifinal birth, the Pacific squad elected to put Rainville in to start against the Quebec reps, Cantonniers de Magog. 

Rainville finished with 26 saves in a 5-3 win for the Hurricanes. The Sturgeon Falls native was honoured to get a start and a victory at the Telus Cup. 

“It was a once in a lifetime experience and I was grateful for the opportunity,” stated Rainville after Friday’s win.  

Rainville isn’t the only North Bay native area player at the event.  

Forward Brett Shawana and goaltender Derick Rivet both play for the host Sudbury squad (0-3-1) which needs a win Friday night over the Toronto Young Nationals to qualify for Saturday’s semi-final.   


Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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