Valenti nets OT winner

Alex Valenti put home his own rebound on a partial breakaway in double overtime as the North Bay Skyhawks defeated the Abitibi Eskimos 7-6 in game 4 of the best-of-seven NOJHL semi-final.

The Skyhawks, in danger of falling 3-1 in the series, scored twice in the final 2 minutes of regulation to force the extra period. The series is now tied 2-2, with game 5 set for North Bay on Sunday night.

Marcel Konopelky scored three times, including the game tying goal in the final minute of the third period.

Valenti finished with a pair of goals with singles going to Nick Laporte and Dan Frawley. Dustin Fummerton had three helpers, while linemate Solomon McCann had two.

Riley Ross came in relief of starter Jeff Michael in the second period and made 39 saves for his second playoff win this season for the Skyhawks.

Skyhawks head coach Ian Swalucynski said his club
responded to the game 4 pressure and executed the game plan.

“We got some bad bounces on the first two goals but we made some adjustments that seemed to work,” said Swalucynski.

“We’ve been getting frustrated but we kept going and their character came through tonight.”

Alex Fiset and Jessie Howg had 2 goals each for the Eskimos. Joel Roy and Maxime St. Pierre had the other goals.

Joel Vienneau took the loss in goal, making 39 saves in relief of starter Francis Albert who was relieved in the first period after allowing 2 goals on the first 5 shots he faced.