Edmonds likes Skyhawks chances

Former Skyhawks head coach Randy Edmonds seen here during Skyhawks practice last year sees an exciting playoff run for the North Bay Skyhawks. Photo by Chris Dawson.

They may not be the regular season league champions but former Skyhawks head coach Randy Edmonds believes the Skyhawks are the true favourites to capture their fourth straight NOJHL title.

“I think they have a foundation stronger than we did last season and goaltending and defence have been their strengths since game one,” said Edmonds who coached the Skyhawks to an NOJHL title last year before leaving to coach in Germany this fall.

Last year’s championship team was led by 20 year olds Josh Merson, David Frawley and Marc Andre Rizk and Edmonds believes the veterans on this year’s team will have to be the leaders as well.

“The challenge for this year’s team is the 20 year olds showing they can win,” said Edmonds.

“It’s not about points and goals but winning and our top guys did it last year.”

Edmonds predicts a Jr. Wolves-Skyhawks final and he thinks the Wolves made a mistake by taunting the Skyhawks during a 3-1 Skyhawks win on March 5th at Memorial Gardens.

“I think the Wolves woke up a bear,” Edmonds said about the additional motivation the Skyhawks were given by their rivals to the West.

“I think that was a Sudbury coaching error and Sudbury is going to pay for it. Anything less than a Skyhawks championship isn’t good enough and Kevin Kerr wants to win a championship,” said Edmonds.

We will find out as the Skyhawks begin their playoff drive on Tuesday as they host the Abitibi Eskimos in the opening game of their NOJHL quarter-final.