Trappers tied one on with Kirkland Lake

The Trappers celebrate a second period goal by Joel Fortin. The call up from Noelville scored 3 goals for the Trappers. Photo by Chris Dawson.


Kirkland Lake's Jessie Howg scored on a breakaway with less than 8 minutes left in the third period as the North Bay Trappers and Kirkland Lake Legion 87's tied 4-4 Sunday afternoon at West Ferris arena.

Joel Fortin scored 3 goals, while Marc Senecal added a single for the Trappers.

The game didn't start on a positive note for the Trappers as the visitors from Kirkland Lake scored two early goals that chased starting goaltender Mathieu Aube to the bench.

"We got behind the eight ball, but we had our chances, we made our mistakes but we worked hard," said Trappers head coach Larry Keenan.

The Trappers were dealt a blow midway through the second period, when forward Marc Senecal was kicked out of the game on a hitting from behind penalty only minutes after he scored to give the Trappers a 3-2 lead.

With Senecal out, Joel Fortin, a call up from a Noelville House League team, scored his third goal of the game on the power play early in the third frame to give the Trappers the lead 4-3.

Fortin, played junior last season with the Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats and was even chosen to go to the Ontario Under 17 provincial camp this summer. However, this fall he opted to play for his Dad's house league team in his hometown.

"It's a different game, a lot rougher and more competitive," Fortin said about making the adjustment from house league to AAA Midget.

"I find I have a hard time at the beginning but as the game goes on I feel I'm getting a lot better, it takes a period or so to get into the game," he said.

Fortin doesn't know how often he'll be available for the Trappers in the new year, but Keenan likes what he brings to the rink.

"He's added a spark," said Keenan. "He's played well for us every time we've called him up."

The Trappers finish off the first half of the season one game below the .500 mark on the season.

The Trappers next home action isn't until the middle of January as they host the New Liskeard Cubs on January 15th.