Skyhawks fall to Wolves (updated)

Scramble! The North Bay Skyhawks bang away at a rebound that Sudbury Junior Wolves goalie Alain Valiquette eventually covers up. Photo by Chris Dawson.

Story by Michelle Baril

Thanksgiving was not so forgiving for the Skyhawks as they dropped their first game after the holiday 4-3 to the Sudbury Junior Wolves. The 'Hawks suffered from what appeared to be turkey overload, as the Wolves seemed to "cook the Skyhawks goose," by dominating and taking a 2-0 lead after one period of action.

Skyhawks head coach Darren Turcotte was disappointed with the slow start.

"We didn't come out the way we should have at home against a team like Sudbury. The third period was pretty good, the second period was average, and the first period cost us the game," said Turcotte.

The Skyhawks held the Wolves off the scoreboard until a bad giveaway by Brad Norkum twelve minutes into the first that lead to the Wolves first goal. Sudbury's Scott Restoule tipped a pass over to a flailing Matt Chuipka in the slot who used his "Alexander Ovechkin-esque" moves to bring the puck behind his head as he was on his back to slid it past a stunned Ian Wilson.

Despite his best efforts, Wilson let in 4 goals on 24 shots - pretty good considering the 'Hawks lack of defence. The flat almost dead play of the Skyhawks once again let Restoule to fire a pass over to Brendan Beidermann to put the Wolves up 2-0 at the end of the first.

"We spent probably 80% of the first period trying to get guys going. That's just not what's in the best interest of the hockey club. We didn't say much in between the first and second we let them try and figure it out on their own and we played better in the second," Turcotte said.

Seven minutes into the third, the Skyhawks finally got on the board with Kolton Brown capitalized on the two-man advantage, rifling a shot upstairs on Wolves goaltender Alain Valiquette.

"Our powerplay has been successful because we have had guys that are hungry to be out there, trying to earn thier spots and working hard," Turcotte said.

Brown offered a glimmer of hope that was soon faded when Sudbury's Brent Thompson answered back five minutes later.

"In the start of the third period Fummertons line, Fummerton, Park and Seymour didn't play for the first 8 minutes and the first shift they got back out there is when Park scored the third goal but they needed a shake up and unfortunately by the time we got them going again we were too far behind the eight ball," Turcotte said.

The Skyhawks played a stronger third period, but it was "too little - too late," as Shane Innes' second period powerplay goal held up as the game winner.

The loss puts things into perspective for the Skyhawks who moved into the Junior "A" top 15 rankings this week.

"The rankings don't mean anything. The closer you get to the top the more teams want to knock you off you can't expect to step onto the ice and have the other team hand you the three points. I think thats a little bit of what happened tonight," Turcotte said.

The Skyhawks don't have much time to mull over the loss as they head out on the road Saturday for a evening contest against the Blind River Beavers. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Blind River Community Centre.

The Skyhawks return home play as they host the last place Manitoulin Islanders. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.