Temiscaming Royals goaltender Erwin Bosum has the puck slip through his legs on Jr. Trapper Adam Marceau's insurance marker. Photo by Matt Gordon. The North Bay Jr.
Temiscaming Royals goaltender Erwin Bosum has the puck slip through his legs on Jr. Trapper Adam Marceau's insurance marker. Photo by Matt Gordon.
The North Bay Jr. Trappers pushed the Temiscaming Royals losing streak to 7 games with a 4-2 victory in front of 1001 fans at Memorial Gardens Sunday night. The game was the back end of a home and home series with the Jr. Tappers winning on Friday night in “La Belle Province”.
The game was a penalty filled affair with 26 minutes in minors being given out by referee Derek Shillinglaw, to go along with 6 misconducts.
“I don’t know what’s been going on in the last few games,” said the Trappers head coach Ian Swalucynski. “I don’t think we’ve played overly dirty, I thought we’ve played hard … sometimes that’s just the way it’s called,” added the coach.
The Royals opened the scoring on the power play as Andre Leclair got one by Trappers starter Sony Drolet.
Sacha Guimond responded for the home side just a few minutes later with a short handed marker. The Trappers had several chances while killing penalties on the night as they were able to take advantage of some miscues on the Royals power play.
“Temiscaming’s defensemen seemed a little shaky on the power play, so we tried to pressure them and cough the puck up,” said forward Dan Zawacki.
Royals head coach Steve McCharles said his team will need to devote some practice time to the man advantage as things have been shaky there of late.
“There are things that need to be worked on with our powerplay,” said McCharles. “No different then Friday night where we had 6 minutes of five on three and couldn’t score,” added the coach.
The Royals second marker was also on the power play but Swalucynski was still pleased with his team’s penalty killing units as they were forced to kill off 8 minor penalties.
“Our best penalty killer was our goalie; he played a heck of a game and kept us in there,” boasted Swalucynski.
Stan Smrke scored the only goal of the second period to put the Trappers up by one heading to the final frame.
Dan Frawley scored the eventual game winner early in the third period on a beautiful set up by Morgan Rudiger. Darren Shecapio pulled the visitors within a goal a few minutes later before Adam Marceau gave North Bay the insurance marker midway through the frame.
Guimond, Rudiger, Jonathon Aubertin, Nick Laporte all had single assists for the Trappers while Kelvin Blackned, Josh Blacksmith and Mike Robertson each had lone helpers for the Royals. Swalucynski was pleased with his teams play of late noting that they have started to show more grit in their play.
“I’ve been yelling at these guys forever to start battling; they’re probably sick of battling each other. We’ve got to keep doing it, we’ve got to make sure we’re hard on the puck, hard in the corners and be those guys no one wants to play,” said Swalucynski of his squad.
Zawacki was offered a 5 game tryout with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL on Saturday but decided to politely decline the invite.
“I wanted to do it, but then I thought about NCAA eligibility and whether it’s worth it or not because still could get a scholarship. I talked to them today and told them I’d be there for training camp next year,” said the 18 year old forward.
Swalucynski said he has been impressed with Zawacki’s play of late and he is excited to have him around for the rest of the year.
“He starting to feel it, starting to get his confidence … he’s going to have a good year for us,” said Swalucynski of the Boulder, Colorado native.
The Royals meanwhile are mired in a 7 game losing slide dating back to November 20th, but McCharles said his team has been playing well and should be able to easily turn things around.
“I think the fact that we have four or five players missing due to injury has something to do with the results right now,” said the Royals head man. “But with the exception of Sudbury in Sudbury we’ve been played some very good hockey.”
The Royals will also host NOJHL All-Star game on January 2 of the New Year. Temiscaming had bid to host the 2010 Dudley Hewitt Cup, which was eventually awarded to Sault Ste. Marie. The All-Star game will give the organization an opportunity to host a league wide event and draw some attention to their franchise.
“We wanted to host the Dudley, we didn’t get it, but we did get the All-Star game and I think we’re going to do a great job with it. We have some great people in Temiscaming working for the organization and I think the fans are really looking forward to the event,” said McCharles who is also the team’s GM.
Three members of the Royals and seven Junior Trappers have been invited to take part in the event which will showcase the leagues best talent for fans and scouts alike.
