Skyhawks blank Isles (updated)

Jordan Carroll had his best game as a Skyhawk leading the Skyhawks to a 5-0 win over the Islanders. Photo by Lucas Punkari.

Story by Lucas Punkari

The North Bay Skyhawks took an early lead on Sunday night and never looked back as they defeated the Manitoulin Islanders 5-0 at Memorial Gardens.

Skyhawks forward Jordan Carroll had a career night in the victory, picking up a natural hat trick and then adding two assists for a five-point outing.

"Everyone was working hard out there and contributing," Carroll said after the game. "People were creating chances and keeping focused all game long and I think that played a big part in it."

Skyhawks head coach Darren Turcotte was glad to see production coming from the 16-year-old Sault Ste. Marie Greyhound draft pick.

"Jordan’s the youngest player on our team and tonight he did the right things," said Turcotte.

"He plays well and skates hard and he’ll be one of those guys that gets better as the year goes on."

Carroll opened the scoring three minutes into the game and then potted his second goal, both on backhanders, two and a half minutes later to give the Skyhawks a 2-0 lead.

Carroll’s third goal of the night came eight minutes into the second period, which led to a few hats being tossed onto the Gardens ice in recognition of Carroll’s efforts. Scott Britton would then extend the Skyhawks lead to four goals two minutes later, when he tipped home a Marcel Konopelky point shot past Islanders goaltender Ben Caneba.

Dustin Fummerton would round out the scoring for North Bay late in the second period, after working his way down the end boards before coming across the slot to put it past Caneba.

Ian Wilson then kept things out of the net the rest of the way, turning aside 15 shots on his way to his first shutout of the season.

"We stayed focused, limited their chances and we were able to cash in on some of ours," Turcotte said. "We talked to the guys between the second and third period to make sure that we were committed to defense all the way until the end. We got the shutout and three points which are great, now we just have to keep building."

Despite the defeat, the 20th straight for the Islanders since a season-opening victory over the Sudbury Junior Wolves, interim head coach Larry Roy was proud with the way his team stayed with the Skyhawks during the second and third periods.

"We didn’t quit out there," Roy said. "That’s our Manitoulin tradition, we’re not quitters. It doesn’t matter how bad it’s going, we always look for a way too win. That’s one thing about our team, we don’t quit no matter what. There’s always a glimmer that we can come back."

The Skyhawks will travel to Iroquois Falls on Wednesday to face the Abitibi Eskimos before their next home game on Sunday night when they host Sudbury.