Adam Marceau of the Trappers looks on as the Wolves celebrate one of their six third period goals Sunday afternoon. photo by Steve Freyer
The North Bay Trappers (6-4) said goodbye to their 4 game win streak on Sunday afternoon, falling 8-1 to the first place Sudbury Nickel Capitol Wolves (10-0) at the West Ferris Arena. For the first 40 minutes, the North Bay Trappers battled toe to toe with the best team in the league, only being down 2-1 heading into the third. In the final 20 minutes, they pulled a disappearing act, allowing 6 goals, while looking tired and confused on the ice in the process.
The estimated home crowd of 180 spectators were treated to an entertaining first 40 minutes, in which they were thinking of a possible upset, with the Trappers only trailing 2-1. The Wolves had a different outcome in mind for the final score at the end of the game. They came out firing on all cylinders in a 6 goal offensive onslaught in the final frame, while out-shooting North bay 26-9.
Despite North Bay’s third period collapse, Trappers Assistant Coach, Beau Moyer believes his team can look at the first two periods as a positive.
“There’s a lot of confidence in our dressing room right now. We had a four game winning streak….I know there’s a better atmosphere in the dressing room and the boys believe in themselves,” Moyer explained after the game.
Moyer wasn’t impressed with Adam Marceau’s antics in the third period, as the Trapper Forward dropped his gloves and started throwing punches at a Sudbury player, earning Marceau a total of nine penalty minutes combined on the play.
“That’s kind of a letdown because the boys played hard and showed that we can compete with this team, but after that guys kind of broke down and the effort wasn’t there,” a disappointed looking Moyer said.
Patrick Rochefort started the game for the Trappers, but was pulled in favor of Tanner Davis, after allowing his fourth goal of the contest early in the third. Davis didn’t fare much better, surrendering 4 goals himself in less than a period.
“I think Pat made some good saves, he gave it his best, but you know a team like Sudbury…they have so many good shooters so it’s tough,” Moyer said of his goalies play.
Although the Sudbury Nickel Capitol Wolves found themselves without six regular skater’s part way through the game, due to suspensions and injuries, they still managed to put eight goals on the board, while only allowing one.
“It starts with our veteran guys, our 17 year old guys, they just work so hard and can skate very well,” Sudbury’s Head Coach Paul Michelutti explained of the team’s success this season.
“Speed kills, especially starting from the higher levels, from the NHL through to Major Junior, if you can skate and move the puck, teams can’t defend against you because there’s no clutching and grabbing anymore. That’s probably our biggest asset, moving the puck well and skating,” Michelutti added.
Trappers leading scorer, Nick Huard registered the lone goal for the red and white, while Adam Marceau and Andrew Burke had the helpers for the Trappers only tally. Sudbury’s Steve Taylor recorded a hat trick and an assist, while Craig Laliberte added four points for the Wolves. Other point producers for Sudbury were Denis Restoule, Mathieu Lecours and Ryan Johnston each contributing three points in win. Landon Noel earned the win with stellar play between the pipes, turning aside 25 of 26 shots fired at him. Sudbury nearly doubled North Bay’s shot total, out-shooting the Trappers by a 48-26 margin.
The Trappers look to get back to their winning ways on October 27, when they travel to Timmins, for a tilt against the Majors (3-1-0-1) at the McIntyre Arena, with the puck dropping at 7:30pm.
“We just need a good week of practice. We have a weekend off (next weekend) so the boys will be able to shake this off pretty quick and we’ll move forward from here on in,” Moyer explained.
