Although the scene at the Memorial Gardens was reminiscent of the famous “Fog Game” of the 1975 Stanley Cup Finals, it was clear to see that those trying to crack the North Bay Skyhawks lineup were giving it their all Thursday evening.
Although the scene at the Memorial Gardens was reminiscent of the famous “Fog Game” of the 1975 Stanley Cup Finals, it was clear to see that those trying to crack the North Bay Skyhawks lineup were giving it their all Thursday evening. With the team looking to have their roster down to possibly 27 players by next Wednesday’s first exhibition game, there was little room for error for the players who have yet to sign with the team. In what turned out to be a tight game, the Blue team pulled off a 6-5 victory over the Whites in front of approximately 300 people at the Memorial Gardens.
The first period saw very little action as both teams looked tentative to make anything happen. The scoring opened at the 9:24 mark when Ian Wilson gave the puck away behind his net, allowing Reilly Miller to put away the first goal for the Blue team. The White team responded at the 13:20 mark when Brad Norkum’s shot was tipped in, and the score was 1-1. Norkum had a great first period, dishing out a couple of big hits along with scoring the goal. The period ended with David Ciminelli and Nick Brunette going toe to toe in the first of many fights during the night.
The second period saw more penalties, which meant the game did open up and the offence started to shine. The first period ended with each team having 10 shots a piece, and both had matched that same mark before the ten minute mark of the second period. At the eight minute mark of the second the game was delayed so that the players could skate around to clear the fog. Before the delay, Norkum had found himself once again in the middle of things as he dropped the gloves with Cory Park, a move that did not really impress GM Guy Blanchard.
“There really was no point to that,” said Blanchard in regards to his two signed players dropping the gloves.
“They were each taking a risk of getting injured and that could have been trouble. A guy like Brunette looking for a spot on the team, looking to fill a role, it makes sense for him to do it. These two are already signed; they already have their spot on the team.”
Ian Wilson and Roch Charbonneau started the game for the White and Blue teams respectively. Both goaltenders had very solid outings each making 21 saves before they were removed midway through the second. Wilson was replaced by local product Andre Laperriere, while Charbonneau was replaced by Shea Cooper. After the game, Blanchard admitted that there is going to be a tough decision to be made for the goaltending position.
“Laperriere is a local guy and he has three years experience in the league. Because he is local it will save the team some money to possibly bring in another player down the road. Charbonneau is 18, and would have another year left to play. Cooper is 16, and although it would be nice to have him now, we already have one 16 year old spot locked up with Jordan Carroll. We are only allowed two, and who knows if there is going to be an OHL team looking for a place to put one of their midget players. As a staff we have to look at what is best in the big picture; short term, long term and financially,” said Blanchard.
Jordan Carroll, Zack Clarke, and Ciminelli scored for the White team, while Kyle Raddigan responded for the Blues, as the score was 4-2 heading into the third.
The Blue team received three consecutive third period goals from Brodie Barron, Nik Priebe, and Park to take a 5-4 lead, and held on for a 6-5 victory. Blanchard was happy after the game to see how physical his players were. After last year he felt as though the team needed more grit and it was seen on the ice Thursday.
“We needed to get grittier,” said Blanchard regarding the way the team played last year.
“We needed to be more physical. We have always had tough teams and it seemed as though we got away from that last year. It’s not just something that we want either, it’s something the fans want, it’s more entertaining.”
The fans will get a chance to see the more physical Skyhawks next Wednesday August the 29th. The Skyhawks will play host to the Pembroke Lumber Kings in an exhibition game. Puck is set to drop at 7:30 from the Memorial Gardens.
Trotter leaves team
In a surprise move, forward Joe Trotter has left the North Bay Skyhawks. A lot was expected from Trotter coming into the season, yet what seemingly was a lack of interest to play the season in North Bay, Trotter decided to inform the team on Thursday that he would be leaving. The decision leaves quite a void up front for the Skyhawks, but Blanchard is happy that he told the team sooner rather then later.
“It definitely hurts us up the middle. He made the decision today, his decision to come play for us was last minute, and he decided he just did not want to stay. He said he did not want us to cut someone and then him leave later on, and for that we are grateful. We are definitely going to be working the phone to add some depth up front, we were already doing that, but now it is even more difficult,” said Blanchard.
One player who has earned a spot on the roster and will be looked at to replace Trotter will be Kyle Sodder from Campbell, California. Blanchard feels he just has to work on his toughness a bit.
“He will need to get better in traffic, but that will come. A guy like Sodder could rely on pure skill when he was in Midget, but up here he will have to be tougher. He definitely earned his spot on this team though,” said Blanchard.
Turcotte confident in new assistants
Head Coach Darren Turcotte will have some new faces with him behind the bench this season. Ian Swalucynski comes in from the Thunder Bay Bearcats, and Jim Ratte will make the move to Skyhawks assistant position as well. Turcotte feels that both coaches bring something different to the team which will each help out in a big way.
“Ratte was a very skilled junior player. He can really relate to the young guys on the team which makes it easier for them to learn. Ian spent the last four years in Thunder Bay and knows how Junior hockey operates. Both guys will help behind the bench and I feel very confident with both guys running practices. It also helps that Ian has so many contacts from Thunder Bay and that area. It gives us a bigger network of players which will allow us to find pieces to the puzzle quicker,” said Turcotte.
Aaron Hueston will be in charge of the off ice training for the Skyhawks with some help from Paul Davis. Turcotte emphasized the importance of the off ice training for his players.
“It is extremely important for these guys to get into great shape. As the season wears along and you get into the playoffs and the seven game series, you see how much off ice conditioning helps these guys. It is important for the players to realize that.”
