Skyhawks blanket the Islanders

The Skyhawks looked like a team desperate for a win Sunday night against the Manitoulin Islanders. The hometown Skyhawks, coming off three straight losses, finally got back into the win column with a convincing 6-1 victory.

Stephane Belanger would get things started for the Hawks just seven minutes in. The forward received a pass at the Islander blue line, made a great move to get by a defender, and an even better deke to make it 1-0. North Bay would continue the great start when Dustin McCrank skated in on a two-on-one, kept, and scored putting a wrist shot off the far post.

"I was thinking pass, but I just brought the goalie over and it was open, so I shot it. Nothing too fancy," a relieved McCrank said after the game.

After scoring, the crowd of 1,108 gave McCrank a rousing ovation, typical when the big man makes a big play. North Bay had gotten the start they were looking for coming off the heals of a 2-0 loss at the hands of Pembroke.

However, Skyhawks head coach Kevin Kerr was still unhappy with the start his team had.

"We can’t play like that for the first period and a half," said Kerr.

"At times we think we’re better than we are. I hate to be point blank about it but sometimes we feel we’re invincible."

Nonetheless North Bay came out flying in the second with Ian Carlson setting up Anthony Sarno who made no mistake from in tight. Midway through the second frame, North Bay's Frank Desbiens and Islander Curtis Johnson dropped the gloves right in front of the visitors bench. Both combatants wasted no time throwing some heavy punches in what was a great fight.

If Johnson was looking to spark his team, it backfired. Nathan Hewitt roofed a rebound after a shot from McCrank soon after to put the home side up four. Nathan Peterson would get credit for the other assist, his first of three on the night.

Sparks would fly early in the final period. Just two seconds after puck drop, so did the gloves of Brett Venasse and Islander Jody Biederman. After the tilt, Biederman added to his team leading penalty minute total by skating around the rink gesturing and yelling at the fans. This would earn him a gross misconduct plus five minutes and game for fighting.

Adam Cook would get his name on the score sheet by blasting a slap shot from high in the slot past Manitoulin goalie Billy Stone. Setting up Cook for the goal was Carlson who would be the second Hawk to get three helpers. Carlson would also be awarded the games 1st star.

Kerr was very pleased with both Carlson and Cook.

"Those are guys that don’t get a tonne of points, but they’re positionally sound and they’re tough. I count on them a lot to be character guys in the locker room and on the ice," said Kerr.

Aaron Assinewai would also play well against his former team, and capped the night with a goal, blasting a slapper top corner. Manitoulin would break Dominic Leveille’s bid for a shut out with just over four minutes left. Corey McGillis would get the lone Islander tally chipping a rebound over Leveille’s shoulder. That would be the Isles could muster in terms of offence with the home side playing as a team like they did.

"You have a little more jump after losing three in a row," McCrank said about breaking out of their short losing streak.

"You lose four in a row and you don’t want to come to practice on Monday."

The Hawks will now enjoy a 12 day layoff sitting just two points behind the division leading Sudbury Junior Wolves.

Story by Jacob Robinson

Game Summary:

First Period
1. NB: Stephane Belanger (Ken Peroff, Ian Carlson) 07:02 FG
2. NB: Dustin McCrank (Anthony Sarno, Stephane Belanger) 10:44 GW

Penalties: Jeff Maronese MAN (TR) 2 min 04:22;
Second Period
3. NB: Anthony Sarno (Frank Desbiens, Alex Ward) 02:51
4. NB: Nathan Hewitt (Dustin McCrank, Nathan Peterson) 12:42

Penalties: No Penalties
Third Period
5. NB: Adam Cook (Ian Carlson, Nathan Peterson) 01:25
6. NB: Arron Assinewei (Nathan Peterson) 11:07
7. MAN: Corey MacGillis (Nathan Lacasse, Chris Taillefer) 15:55 PP

Penalties: No Penalties
Shots on Goal 1 2 3 OT T
Manitoulin 8 5 8 - 21
North Bay 13 16 13 - 42

Files from NOJHL.com