Jr. Trappers forward Michel Gamache is hauled down but gets a shot away on Eskimos goalie Eddie Davey in the second period. Photo by Chris Dawson.
It's been said winning is a habit and right now the Abitibi Eskimos are doing everything that comes along with it.
Balanced scoring, strong defense, good goaltending, clutch play – it was all on all display tonight at the Memorial Gardens in the Eskimos 6-3 win over the North Bay Junior 'A' Trappers.
With the win the Eskimos remain undefeated on the season with an 16-0-2 record.
"We're not over thinking right now; we know where the puck is going and we're looking for each other," explained Eskimos head coach Paul Gagne.
"Right now it's a habit. Its good habits on the ice and off the ice. Our guys don't want to ruin it."
The Eskimos featured a balanced offensive attack, seeing six different players score their six goals.
Eric Carrier, Maxime St. Pierre, Randall Rickard, Laurie Gieni, Felix Boutin and Joshua Clancy were the goal scorers for the victors, while Will Laporte, Brodie Barron and Dan Zawacki replied for the Jr. Trappers.
The Trappers did battle hard and tied the game at two early into the second period.
Then, after the Eskimos went ahead again by two, the Trappers would get a late goal to pull within one heading into the final stanza.
However, the Eskimos sealed the win with a pair of quick goals.
With the loss the Jr. Trappers fall to 12-9 on the season.
"In our games with them this year we've only played five or six bad minutes and they've capitalized on them." said Trappers head coach Ian Swalucynski.
"Our power play was good tonight, we created some chances, but we shot ourselves in the foot by not back checking the right way and we gave them chances that they buried. We just cannot continue to do these things against a good team and expect to win. We need to start playing 60 solid minutes."
The Eskimos would get off to a great start to the game, as they scored on their first two shots on net in a 27 second span just after the three minute mark of the first period.
Carrier got it started when his shot from the point deflected off a Jr. Trappers defenseman and into the net.
Moments later St. Pierre took a good feed from Cory Marquardt and flipped it over Trappers goalie Sony Drolet.
Meanwhile, Eskies goalie Eddie Davey was playing solid - making several key saves including a huge glove save on a Jese Cere wrist shot.
Just before the end of the period the Jr. Trappers would get a huge goal when Will Laporte banged home a rebound from the side of the net.
And then at the 1:51 mark of the second period the Trappers would pull even, as Brodie Barron streaked in on a breakaway and fired a wrist shot that just snuck past Davey.
However, the Eskimos would be quick to respond with a pair of quick goals.
Begin restored the lead with an easy power play tap-in after a perfect cross ice feed from Boutin and then six minutes later Gieni was the beneficiary of a Trappers defensive blunder.
Trappers’ defenseman Zach Hunter would whiff on a clearing attempt and Gieni walked in all alone on a breakaway - beating Drolet with a backhander.
"Skill wise we're basically the same team as we were the last couple years, the difference is maturity. Those two goals right there are good example of not panicking which comes with maturing as a team." said Gagne.
Just like in the first a late goal would keep the Jr. Trappers in the game and within a goal heading into the final period.
This time it was Zawacki stepping up, as he redirected in a slap pass from Todd Hellyer.
But, continuing the script of the game, it would be the Eskies responding with a quick goal.
27 seconds into the final stanza Boutin picked up the loose puck in the corner and beat Drolet with a low shot five-hole.
The Eskimos would proceed to seal the win at the 5:06 mark of the period when Clancy roofed a wrist shot top shelf.
Next action for the Trappers is Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. when they host the Sudbury Junior Wolves at the Memorial Gardens.
THREE STARS:
1. AB - Felix Boutin (1 goal and 2 assists)
2. AB - Marc-Alain Begin (1 goal and 2 assists)
3. NB - Todd Hellyer (2 assists)
Trappers Clips
A huge banner honouring the passing of Bev Marceau, grandmother of Jr. Trappers forward Adam Marceau, was hung in section 8 and re-named "Nan's Section" where the devoted hockey grandmother watched him play...Former North Bay Jr. Trappers forward Cory Marquardt let go by the club recently, had an assist on the Eskimos second goal in his return to North Bay as a member of the Eskis.
