Skyhawks battle Jr. Wolves (updated)

The Sudbury Jr. Wolves swarm the Skyhawks net in the second period. Photo by Chris Dawson.

Story by Michelle Baril

When you climb the ladder of the NOJHL standings, seated atop are the North Bay Skyhawks; who, on Sunday night showed why they deserved to be labelled a number one team. Dustin Fummerton proved to be a hero when he sniped a back hand, top corner on Sudbury goalie, Joey Delwo to win the game 3-2 in the shootout.

"The whole team bet five bucks against Fum, he usually not to good on shootouts but we tried to get him going so he'd relax a bit," said Skyhawks Head Coach Ian Swalucynski.

Veteran Skyhawk and sharpshooter Brad Hummel wasn't going to be out done by Fummerton as he skated down the ice on North Bay's first shootout attempt and rifled a wrist shot under the blocker of Delwo.

"He baited the goalie in, he was going there the whole time," Swalucynski said.

The Skyhawks played a very discplined first half, not taking a single penalty until ten minutes into the second; which AJ Shiverdecker said that Swalucynski has been preaching in his first few games as head coach.

The Skyhawks have gone 3 and 1 since Swalucynski took over and Shiverdecker says that the players are adapting well to the change and appreciate Darren Turcotte's (Assistant Coach) commitment to the team since stepping down.

"He's (Swalucynski) a different style, more in your face and the guys know that no one is safe right now and we're all responding pretty well," said Shiverdecker.

"He's (Turcotte) been out on the ice a lot, he's a great guy and he knows a lot about hockey and he can definatley help players like me," he added.

Shiverdecker, who was named NOJHL player of the week got North Bay on the board nine minutes into the game when he found himself alone at the hash marks and scored through the five-hole of Delwo.

"Ive been trying to keep it simple and just dumb down my play," Shiverdecker said.

The play of Delwo kept Sudbury within one in the first. The Jr. Wolves were out of position and frazzled the whole first period, but the 'Hawks couldn't capitalize on key chances that could have prevented extra time and an extra point to Sudbury.

During the second period the action picked up and on a delay penalty call Travis Bradshaw blasted a slapshot that was re-directed infront by Fummerton to extend the Skyhawks lead to two.

The two goal lead was not able to be celebrated for long when Sudbury's Chuck Carre shot from the point and the puck found it's way to the back of the net through some traffic infront of netminder Andre Lapperiere.

Thirty three seconds later JF Houle snapped a back hand over top of the shoulder of Lapperiere to tie the game at a pair a piece.

"We stopped skating we stopped checking we stopped hitting and playing our brand of hockey," Swalucynski said.

"Its all about focus and knowing a job and we panicked for some reason, i dont know why," he added.

The Skyhawks travel to Sudbury on Wednesday to once again face the Junior Wolves. The Soo Thunderbirds will be at Memorial Gardens Friday, December 12th were the 'Hawks will hope to peck out a win. Puck drops at 7:30pm on Friday.