Skyhawks blank Islanders

Ryan Loach scored three times and Jeff Michael stopped all 34 shots he faced as the North Bay Skyhawks shut out the Manitoulin Islanders 4-0 at the Howland Rec. Centre in Little Current Friday night.

Nick Laporte scored the other goal for the Skyhawks.

Skyhawks head coach Ian Swalucynski was glad to grab the two points but he felt the effort could have been better against an Islander team with only 1 win in its first 18 games in this first vs. worst matchup.

"I kind of expected it," Swalucynski admitted.

"The guys held on to puck a little longer than expected and we got away from game plan a bit. That's what makes makes championship teams - you play the way you are supposed to every time you go on the ice."

With the win the Skyhawks improve to a league best 17-4-1 on the season.

The Skyhawks are back on the ice Sunday night at home as they face the Soo Eagles at Memorial Gardens. Game time is 7:00 p.m.