Trappers eliminated in OT

Trappers goalie Patrick Beaudry clears the puck during third period action. Photo by Chris Dawson.

Jordan Kuruliak scored on a nice feed in the slot after a turnover at 2:56 of the fifth overtime period as the Sudbury Nickel Capitals defeated the North Bay Trappers 4-3 and win their best-of-five Great North Midget League semi-final 3-0.

“This was a hard fought game,” said Keenan, who led a team that had its back against the wall after losing back to back games against Sudbury last weekend which set up the elimination game Saturday night.

“On the winning goal we made a couple of mistakes and boom it was in the net,” Keenan added.

The Trappers erased an early 2-0 Capitals lead to even things up in the second period. Marc Senecal had two goals for the Trappers and Kody Carnevale added an unassisted tally in the middle frame.

Patrick Beaudry was busy and put in another solid performance in goal for the Trappers as he turned aside 45 of the 49 shots he faced on the night.

The good news for the Trappers is that the season doesn’t end on March 11th for the North Bay AAA midget team, as in April they will host the Ontario Regional Midget AAA tournament.

Still Keenan is disappointed his club didn’t make it to the league finals like they did last season.

“Unfortunately we’ll have to have some hard practices instead of some hard games to prepare ourselves, on other hand it will give us time to change a few things,” said Keenan.

The Trappers may get a chance get some revenge against the Capitals as they are expected to meet the Sault Ste. Marie North Stars (2-1 series lead vs. Rayside-Balfour in other semi-final) in the Great North Midget League final.

“I expect the winner of the All-Ontario’s to come out of the Great North Midget League,” said Keenan.