Jr. Trappers special teams hurt Royals

Trappers new goaltender Ryan Fitzsimmons looks for a loose puck in front of his net. Photo by Christian Lebel.

TEMISCAMING, QC - Things started off real slow tonight between the 2 teams. It wasn't until the 12:07 mark on a controversal goal by Marcel Konopelky that the Trappers took the first lead in the game. Referee Derek Gratton called it a good goal following a little huddle with his linesmen and the goal judge. Then in the last minute on a power play Sacha Guimond gave the Trappers a 2 goal lead to end the first. Shots were 11-10 Royals.

The Royals got an early jump in the second while on a 5 on 3 power play, Chris Hebert blasted slap shot from the blue line that found the back of Trappers new goaltender Ryan Fitzsimmons' net to make it 2-1. Then about 4 minutes later on another 2 man advantage Cedric Boutin tied it at two. The rest of the second was slowed down quite a bit by a constant flow in and out of the penalty box. North Bay regained the lead on a power play of their own on a goal from Stan Smrke. The shots were 15-10 Royals.

The third period was similar to the second with referee Gratton calling 10 minor penalties. The Trappers outscored the Royals 4-1 in the period with two power play, one shorthanded and one five on five against one power play for the home team. Dan Zawacki had a pair while Todd Hellyer and Morgan Rudiger rounded out the scoring for North Bay.

Chris Hebert scored his second on the game for the home team. The shots ended 36-32 Trappers. 298 minor penalties were called with the Trappers taking 16 to the Royals 12.

Trappers head coach Ian Swalucynski felt the penalties led to a rather lifeless game.

"We built a lead but the penalties sucked the life out of the game - not a lot of flow to the game," he said.

The 3 stars were Sacha Guimond with a goal and 3 assists. Second star Chris Hebert for the Royals with his 2 goals and third star Dan Zawacki also with a pair.

The two teams tangle again on Sunday when the Royals pay a visit to North Bay. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.