Skyhawks over the Beavers

Story by Michelle Baril


With no Captain and a depleted roster, the Skyhawks limped on to play thier third game in as many nights, hosting the Blind River Beavers. The 'Hawks were looking for a win after coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the Soo Thunderbirds Saturday night; they did so with the outstanding defensive play of Mike Lawlor.

"He blocked big shots tonight, broke up a two on one and turned into a specialist for us," said Skyhawks Head Coach Ian Swalucynski.

The 4-2 victory, however, didn't come easily for the 'Hawks, with Blind River playing the Broadstreet Bully type of hockey and opening the scoring midway through the first period. North Bay goaltender, Andre Laperriere appeared flustered with the scramble infront of the net and Beavers forward Jarrett Burton jammed the puck under the pad of Laperriere to put Blind River on the board. Twenty-six seconds later, the 'Hawks answered back when Brad Norkum took a pass from Dustin Fummerton and sniped the puck past Beavers goalie Mike Wuthrich to tie the game at one. Nearing the end of the period Brad Hummel fed a slick pass over to Kody Carnevale to give the 'Hawks a one goal lead heading into the second frame.

The second period began with a combined effort between Garret Trainor and A.J. Shiverdecker to carry the puck out of the North Bay zone and fed a pass to 'Mr. BoDangles' Jordan Carroll, who manouvered his way around Wuthrich to put the 'Hawks up 3-1. With three minutes left, the Beavers capitalized on a 2-man advantage when Brett LaValley took a slapshot from the point to once again bring the Beavers within one.

Fatigue set in in the third and the 'Hawks began to show the effects of a shortbench and a long weekend. Lawlor stepped up his play and kept his team to a one goal lead.

"It wasn't the total effort we wanted, but we shut them down," Swalucynski said.

Five minutes in, the powerplay finally lit up when a sliding, sprawling Chad Jones poked the puck under Wuthrich to make it 4-2.

"We set team goals and figure we need to finish in first place," Swalucynski said.

The Skyhawks host the Soo Thunderbirds Friday at 7:30.