Jr. Trappers crush Islanders

Trappers defenceman, Sacha Guimond puts North Bay up 1-0 early in the first period of North Bay's 13-2 win on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Paul Soucy.

In preparation for their Tuesday night game versus Abitibi, the Jr. Trappers scored early and often against the Manitoulin Islanders on Sunday afternoon. Stan Smrke scored the third goal of the game with just over a minute left in the first – a goal which turned out to be the game winner in a 13-2 shellacking.

“For a change we finished the game off,” Jr. Trappers head coach Ian Swalucynski said. “We played hard and we kept going, and we didn’t put up with any extra stuff after the whistle.”

Swalucynski was pleased with his team’s defensive play, especially the fact they didn’t give up ‘soft goals’ like they have in the past.

“We kept working,” Swalucynski said. “They know what’s at stake on Tuesday – we have to send a message to Abitibi.”

The Trappers know there are two teams in their way to the Dudley Hewitt Cup later this year – Sudbury and Abitibi – and they can’t take a break on games versus lesser opponents.

Although there was an 11 point difference on the scoreboard at the end of the game, the North Bay players gave it their all for the entire 60 minutes.

“Guys get a little more excited,” Trappers forward, Dan Frawley said. “Some guys who don’t get as much ice-time got the opportunity to play a lot more.”

Leading the offensive charge for the Trappers were Darnell Koosees with 4 points (2G, 2A), Morgan Rudiger with 4 points (1G, 3A), Matthew Pepin with 3 points (1G, 2A). Jonathon Aubertin scored a pair of goals on an Islanders team that was outscored 24-2 in two weekend games - including an 11-0 loss to the Eskimos in Iroquois Falls Saturday night.

North Bay heads to Iroquois Falls on Tuesday to face the Abitibi Eskimos, before returning home to host the Soo Eagles next Sunday night at 7:00 p.m.

The Trappers broadcast of the important road game will be available for viewing live on www.fasthockey.com Tuesday night.