NOJHL Finals – Skyhawks fall to Wolves

Jr. Wolves forward Ryan Mathes tries to put a rebound past Skyhawks goalie Michael Lalande in the first period of game two of the NOJHL final. Photo by Chris Dawson.

Home ice appears to be a disadvantage early in this year’s version of the NOJHL final. The Skyhawks lost their first home playoff game Sunday night, dropping a 5-1 decision to the Sudbury Jr. Wolves who lost by that same score at the Sudbury arena last Friday.

The series is now tied at 1-1 heading back to Sudbury on Wednesday.
The loss breaks the Skyhawks five game playoff winning streak and is an indication that the Wolves won’t go down without a fight.

“I think we kind of sat back a little bit and we were more passive than we were used to and it was maybe jitters at home, or maybe it was the first game of the finals at home,” said Skyhawks head coach Kevin Kerr.

“But these guys I know what they can do we’ve been very successful here in the playoffs and I don’t expect us to lay down I think it’s one of those things that it’s a long series and this series could probably go six or seven games.”

The Wolves came into the game fired up and got on the right track in the first period on nice passing play between Brenden Biedermann and Brian McGarry who slid one past Michael Lalande to give the Wolves a lead they would never relinquish on this night.

The Jr. Wolves added to their lead in the second period as Scott Lavigne’s point shot through a crowd eluded Michael Lalande and the powerplay marker made it 2-0 for the visitors at 3:09.

The Skyhawks looked to get back to it on a nifty three way passing play started by Nathan Hewitt who fed Hubert Genereux away and his quick pass to Matt Collins was right on the mark and the North Bay forward rang it off the iron.

Then only a minute later at the 12:31 mark the Jr. Wolves add to their lead as Brodie Wilson beat Lalande for a 3-0 lead which they took to the second intermission.

The Skyhawks got lucky on a powerplay less than four minutes in when Austin Rugal’s pass deflected off a Sudbury defender and passed a surprised Paul Pidutti making it 3-1.

The Wolves would add another at 10:38 on a partial breakaway goal by Nick Heins and Justin Jodouin rounded out the scoring with a powerplay goal in the final minute.

Jr. Wolves assistant coach Dave Clancy was thrilled to see the team bounce back from that 5-1 loss at home on Friday.

“It was a good effort from our guys from how we played the other night we practiced well during the week and we rebounded nicely,” said Clancy who along with assistant coach Steve Lauzon filled in for head coach Darryl Moxam who missed the game for personal reasons.

“The guys started getting their skating legs moving and moving the puck a bit quicker and with a team like North Bay you have got to move the puck against them,” added Clancy.

Skyhawk Clips

The attendance was solid on the night as 2,166 took in game two of the NOJHL final . . . The Wolves outshot the Skyhawks 39-24 on the night . . . Skyhawks forward Nick Kulas celebrated his 20th birthday on Sunday and was named the games third star . . .The Skyhawks didn’t register their first shot on goal until the seven minute mark of the first period.

A salute to Garth

The press area high above the Skyhawks bench seemed a very quiet place today with news that the longtime Memorial Gardens Lighting and Sound man Garth Cooper passed away on Saturday.

Cooper, did public address for Centennials games and worked for CFCH and CKAT for a number of years in their newsroom will be sadly missed for his quick witted comments and tremendous sense of humour.

Cooper was only 68 years old.

We’ll miss you Garth.