Villeneuve turns trick

Cutline: Skyhawks forward Justin Villeneuve fakes and feeds teammate Soloman McCann late in the third.

The North Bay Skyhawks put on a scoring clinic Friday night, trouncing the Soo Eagles 7-3. Justin Villeneuve toped the score sheet with his first hat trick of the New Year, sparking the ‘Hawks offense and taking home the game’s first star.

“Everyone contributed tonight. I got a few gifts from Kono (Marcel Konopelky) and Loach (Ryan Loach). Hopefully me and the team can keep this up,” Villeneuve said.

Villeneuve opened the scoring on an early power play in the second sneaking the puck under Eagles tender Sean LaDouce. This coming 45 seconds after a Brad Hummel goal was called back due to a high stick.

Skyhawks Head Coach Ian Swalucynski was proud of his troop staying disciplined throughout the game, especially a tough first period.

The Skyhawks were still without core defenseman Brad Norkum who is expected to be out another week with an injured wrist. But, even without Norkum the ‘Hawks were able to hold the Eagles to three goals on 35 shots.

“If our goalies can stop some shots we give up, we’re in good shape,” Swalucunski said.

“We stuck with the program and knew we could score and no one got frustrated,” Swalucynski said.

Villeneuve’s second goal came four minutes later. Villeneuve took a pass from Alex Valenti, came streaking down the left side and tucked to puck under LaDouce to make it 2-0.

The Soo Eagles answered back with two quick goals from Anthony Raymond, and Josh Magnan and assists going to Ryan McAleese, David McCaig, Rock Einerson, and Jeremy Christopher.

Twenty-three seconds after the second Soo goal, North Bay’s Soloman McCann capitalized on a chance in the slot netting his first of two.

Dustin Fummerton ended the period with a snap shot from the hash marks extending the lead to two and frustrating the Eagles; which lead to the ousting of head coach Paul Theriault.

The Skyhawks started the third two men up, and Fummerton added to his 59 points taking advantage of the power play and trickling one through the legs of LaDouce.

North Bay would add two more goals in the period and the Soo with one to wrap it up at 7-3.

Sunday night puck drops again at the Gardens when Abitibi comes to town. The Skyhawks look to extend their lead in the East; that game goes at 7.