It has been a while but the two North Bay & District Trappers AAA hockey teams took part in Great North Midget League action on the weekend.
The games were very different.
They were 11 versus 11 contests which are two-period long, face-off free, with no body contact which is part of the NOHA's Return to Play program.
The U18 Trappers have two 11-player teams and they faced the New Liskeard Cubs two 11-player teams at Memorial Gardens on Saturday.
The Trappers defeated the Cubs 3-1 in game one, 3-1 Trappers win in game two, 2-2 tie in game three and game four was a 3-2 win for the Cubs.
Billie McMillan, Trappers U18 AAA head coach says the opening night was very rewarding.
"After a few months of nothing but practice drills the opportunity to apply what the players have been working on in a game situation brought nothing but excitement with smiles to each one of them," said McMillan, a former New Jersey Devils draft pick."The game is different with the new playing rules set by the OHF and enforced by the NOHA but it is something that promotes excessive skating which is a huge part of the game. I hope we are able to play through the remainder of the hockey season and other teams are allowed as well. It was a positive evening for all involved."
Meantime the U16 AAA Trappers were on the road for four contests in Sudbury against split squads from the North Bay U16 AAA Wolves.
The U16 Trappers fell 6-1 in game one, defeated the Wolves 5-3 in game two, a 3-3 tie in game three, and a 5-2 setback at the hands of the Wolves in the final contest Saturday at Countryside arena in Sudbury.
Tyler Miller, U16 AAA Trappers rookie head coach was thrilled to see his players on the ice competing again.
"They have been working hard the last three months and they deserve it," said Miller.
"It is an important year for our group, and it is good to see that the NOHA and GNML are working towards the goal of getting back to competitive hockey. There are a lot of changes with the rules that have been placed right now, so speed and angling are very important as it always has been. We used some cues to help our players adapt to the 'new game'. Everybody is working hard with the circumstances that we are in and we are happy to see the players back on the ice. All in all, it was a good weekend and it is a step in the right direction."
The two U16 and U18 teams will resume action this weekend with the U18 Trappers traveling for four contests in New Liskeard and the U16 Trappers hosting the Sudbury U16 AAA Wolves on Saturday night at Memorial Gardens.
