Skyhawks take 2-0 series lead

David Frawley sets up behind the Black Bears net during a third period powerplay. Frawley ended up with 3 points as the Skyhawks potentially played their last home game of the season. Photo by Chris Dawson.

The North Bay Skyhawks cruised to a 5-2 victory in game two over the Northern Michigan Black Bears Wednesday night at Memorial Gardens. The Skyhawks win gives them a commanding 2-0 lead in the best of seven NOJHL final.

Marc-Andre Rizk, notched a short handed goal in the first, and added a power play goal late in the third, on his way to the games first star. After being held of the board last night, Rizk lead the way again for the Skyhawks, netting his league leading 11 and 12 goals, of the post season.

“Rizk has been our MVP of the playoffs,” said Coach Randy Edmonds. “He didn’t score much in the regular season, but he has stepped up his game and right now he is playing like the best player in the league.”

The Black Bears silenced the home crowd at the 3:27 mark, when Chris Craft gave the visitors the one goal lead. The goal was the Black Bears first shot on goal, and came after the Skyhawks laced Black Bears goalie Tony Stoehr, with six shots in the first three minutes, which included quality chances on the power play. The Skyhawks pressure paid off, when David Frawley picked up a loose puck while short handed and delivered a cross ice pass to Mark-Andre Rizk, for the equalizer. With the Black Bears down two men, Skyhawk’s David Cappadocia sounded the siren giving the home team the lead.

Skyhawk’s blue liner Josh Merson added cushion to the Skyhawks lead, with 4:47 left in the second. The booming slap shot, from the point, came after the Skyhawks moved the puck around nicely on the 5-3, before finding Merson left alone. The Skyhawks dominated the second, only allowing the Black Bears 3 shots in the frame. However, Black Bears goalie Stoehr kept his club in the game, turning away 12 of 13 shots that he faced in the second period.

The frustrated Black Bears came out in third with a chip on their shoulders, and forced the Skyhawks into penalty problems. After two tilts that featured Skyhawk’s Frank Desbiens and Black Bear’s Joel Rechilicz, then Dustin McCrank and Mike Herbert, the energized Black Bears, climbed back into the game, with a 5-3 power play goal scored by John Nogatch. The home team came right back, and regained the two goal lead, with a power play goal from captain David Frawley. Marc-Andre Rizk would put the game out of reach minutes later, on the power play, with his second of the night.

Once again the Skyhawks allowed limited chances to their opposition and netminder Mike Lalande recorded the win, blocking 21 of 23 shots. Tony Stoehr put in a solid effort between the pipes for the Black Bears, turning away 22 of 27 shots, while suffering the loss. The Skyhawks will now pack their bags and head on the road, for games 3 and 4, where they will look for a sweep of the Black Bears.

Game Notes: Frawley picked up a goal and two helpers, while Rizk notched two goals and helper. Rizk was the games first star, and Frawley was named second star. Alex Ward played a steady defensive game, earning him the third star.


Story by Todd Vandonk