Trappers drop opener in GNML Final

The Soo North Stars pounded the North Bay Trappers 6-1 in the opener of the Great North Midget League final Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie.

Lance McMahon scored the lone Trappers goal in the second period.

Tyler Gendron led the North Stars scoring attack with 2 goals as the North Stars take a 1-0 lead in the best of 5 final.

Despite the loss the Trappers are confident they can bounce back in game 2 which takes place Saturday afternoon at Memorial Gardens in the Soo.

"We're a pretty tired club," said Trappers head coach and former NHLer Larry Keenan. "We played four games in five nights against Kirkland Lake plus the travel. We weren't in the game from the word go and we didn't have any jump.

"I expect us to come out tomorrow and play a much better game. I will be very disappointed if we don't come to play. This wasn't indicative of our team."

The series will shift to North Bay next weekend with game three scheduled for Saturday night and game four, if necessary, on Sunday afternoon. A fifth game would be played on Tuesday, Mar. 22 in the Sault.

The eventual GNML champion will advance to the regional playdowns being held Mar. 28-Apr. 3 in North York with the winner from there advancing to the national championships.

with files from Sootoday.com

For full game story details check out Ken Hilderley's story on our sister website www.sootoday.com