Challenging week ahead for the Skyhawks

The Skyhawks hope to score a couple victories in another important weekend for the locals. Photo by Chris Dawson.


As the battle for first-place in the NOJHL's East Division continues, the result of this week's games could determine the Skyhawks eventual fate in the standings.

One week after rolling to 3 straight wins, the locals will get set for a very tough set of games starting Thursday night.

A trip west to the Chelmsford Arena will see the Hawks take on the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats.

This will be these two team's 6th meeting of the season. In their last encounter North Bay handed the 'Cats a 8-2 loss here in the Gateway city.

Then just 24 hours later, the Hawks will get set to host the Soo Thunderbirds.

Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Memorial Gardens.

This rematch of last year's NOJHL finals is sure to be an entertaining affair.

Despite both organization's taking a new look to each of their respective rosters, their head-to-head games so far have proven to be anyone's game.

Every game in this series has been decided by one goal with the exception of a 7-3 Sault Ste. Marie triumph back in November here in the Bay.

The game will feature 2 of the NOJHL's top 3 scorers in Ryan Maunu and Matt Caria (both of the Soo) while the Hawks boast the league's top goaltender in Mike Lalande.

Then perhaps the biggest game of the season, and the biggest of the weekend will take to the ice of Memorial Gardens.

Sunday night will feature the two teams battling for the top spot in the East Division when our Hawks host the Abitibi Eskimos.

So far this season North Bay hold's a 2-3-0-0 record against their Northern rivals, although the last contest saw a 5-4 victory in favour of the 'Bay.

This game will be a preview to a home-and-home series between the two clubs that will take place later this month.

Submitted by Gerry Liscumb