Skyhawks snow Eskimoes

Without missing a beat the North Bay Skyhawks extended their unbeaten streak to eight (6-0-2) in a Sunday match that saw them down division rivals Abitibi Eskimos 5-2 at Memorial Gardens.

Dustin McCrank opened the scoring for the Skyhawks, with singles in the first and the second, for the 2-0 lead. Jessy Lebel and Jacie Gagne would rally the Eskimos troops with singles of their own, to tie the affair after 40 minutes.

Rookies Yves Bastien, and Justin Roy would lead the way in the third with single tallies that brought three unanswered goals from the Skyhawks. Evan Dube added a marker of his own.

Abitibi goalie Steve Hamel faced 42 shots, including 19 in the third. Mark Lalande recorded the win, stopping 19 of 21 shots, while Sudbury Wolves draft pick Chris Abby played back up role for the Skyhawks.

North Bay opens a five-point lead atop the East Division and sees action next Friday at Memorial Gardens when they face Rayside Balfour Sabrecats.

The Skyhawks stopped the Sabrecats 7-0 in the last meeting between the clubs. Game time is 7:30.