Barons win NOSSA opener while Trojans get blanked

The Algonquin Barons buzz into the Confederation Chargers end during the third period of their NOSSA opener. Photo by Chris Dawson.

The Algonquin Barons continued their winning ways Tuesday morning as they dumped the Confederation Chargers from Sudbury 5-2 in their opening game of the NOSSA AA Hockey Championship.

The Barons built up a 3-1 lead after one on goals by Darcy Vaillancourt, Nathan Hewitt and Mitchell Sullivan.

However, the Confederation Chargers charged out in the second period as Drew Breton made a nice glove save after a Mathieu Blanchard giveaway in the opening minute.

Moments later the Chargers early pressure paid off though as Eric Lavallee beat Breton 1:59 into the second to make it a one goal game.

Early into the third Kevin Gareau, the OT hero from Saturday night, pumped in a powerplay goal off a rebound to restore the two goal lead.

Michel Vezina added another powerplay goal with just over a minute to play to ice it, as the Barons win their NOSSA opener 5-2.

Algonquin Barons Head Coach Dale Hewitt is pleased with the win but he felt his club was a bit lazy Tuesday morning.

"I came in this morning and I wasn't pleased with how we were getting ready for the game, and I didn't think we were mentally into the game, or focussed," said Hewitt, who was concerned about their effort after Saturday's emotional triple overtime victory.

"We fortunately got that 3-1 lead and we were able to hang on and I think we played fairly well after that."


Trojans lose big

The Sir James Dunn Eagles led by a 3 goals from David McFadden blanked the West Ferris Trojans 5-0 Tuesday morning in the NOSSA tournament opener which started bright and early at 8 a.m.

McFadden put the Sault Ste. Marie high school on the board early scoring 1:17 into the first period.

The score remained 1-0 until McFadden struck again in the second, this time with a back-breaking shorthanded goal to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead.

Then a minute later Stephane Bouliane put his club up by 3.

Matt Irving scored early in the 3rd to make it 4-0 Eagles. However, the Trojans did show some life shortly after the goal. On the powerplay, Dan Trnka was absolutely robbed by goalie John Ellis who caught a Trnka shot while he was lying on his back.

David McFadden completed his hat-trick less than 2 minutes later.

The Trojans still reeling after Saturday night's overtime loss in the NDA final have to find a way to rebound Tuesday night when they face their rivals from Algonquin in a do-or-die contest for the West Ferris squad.

Bottom line is Head Coach Rick Mitchell believes their NOSSA opener was a stinker.

"It was a team effort on our part in not executing, I'm disappointed and I think the players are disappointed too," Mitchell said.

The Trojans and Barons will clash at Memorial Gardens at 8 p.m. Tuesday night, but don't expect another marathon contest as game's in the round robin portion of the NOSSA tourney can finish with a tie.