BY SCOTT
HADDOW
The 27th annual Big Nickel Hockey Tournament is ready to rip
the roofs off local arenas, and six local squads are looking to
keep the hardware in town.
The Sudbury Nickel Capitals Wolves (midget), Sudbury Bantam
Wolves, Sudbury Northwood Wolves (peewee), Rayside-Balfour
Sabrecats (midget), Onaping Falls Huskies (bantam) and Valley
East Cobras (midget) will all compete for bragging rights this
weekend.
They will face off against the best clubs from across Ontario.
A team from Sudbury hasn't won a Big Nickel trophy since the
Sudbury BPT Wolves won the bantam crown in 1991.
All the action starts Thursday night. Games will be played
across the city, as the event makes use of the Countryside,
Chelmsford, Cambrian, Carmichael and Tom Davies Arenas.
The midget Wolves play their first game on Thursday, at
Countryside against the Vaughn Kings, starting at 8 pm.
The midget Wolves have been on a tear so far this season in the
Great North Midget League (GNML), piling up a record of
11-2-0-0, good for third overall.
The team also leads the league in goals for with 91.
The midget Wolves lost in triple overtime last season in the
midget championship game to Nepean. They're looking to go one
step further this year.
"We have a good chance," said head coach Peter Michelutti Jr.
"Anything can happen in tournament play. All the players are up
for it, especially with the success they had last year.
There's a lot of returning players and they're ready and want
another crack at it."
The midget Wolves must be prepared to battle to have
success.
"The players have to go the next step and work hard every
shift...they have to be focused on having a good start each and
every game," said Michelutti.
The squad does feel the pinch of being hometown favourites.
"There's always pressure for all the local teams...they all
want to do well," said the coach. "We need a team effort. We
will use our speed a lot. We're going to be aggressive and
moving the puck with a lot of intensity."
The Cobras have also enjoyed considerable success in the GNML
this season. The team sits in second place with a record of
11-3-1-0.
They have an explosive offence and will look to usurp some of
the big teams in the tournament. The Cobras are in a tough
division with opponents such as the Markham Waxers and Toronto
Junior Canadiens.
"We're in a strong division," said head coach Steve Richardson.
"I'm looking for us to play in four really good, quality hockey
games. In tournament play, you want four great games
back-to-back to back-to-back. We're looking to advance to the
playoffs. Our guys feel they can advance."
The Cobras must take the play to their opponents for any kind
of success.
"Our team has to set the tempo, and, in our own zone, be
aggressive," said Richardson. "Setting the tempo...allows you
to win the game, not just participate in it. If we're working
hard and up for the games, we will advance."
The Cobras are working as a team.
"We have a good group of guys here, who are working hard and
they deserve the opportunity to play in a big tournament like
this," said Richardson.
The Sabrecats have been rolling along in the GNML as well. They
have a record of 3-9-2-0, good for sixth overall. Although not
blessed with the many talents like their fellow GNML
counterparts, Rayside shows up to compete hard each and every
game.
"We have an excellent team...we've been fighting to come
together as a unit," said head coach Victor McDonald. "We have
to pick up our defensive game...defensive zone coverage."
The Sabrecats have lofty goals.
"We're hoping to get into the quarter finals, and from there,
it's game by game," said McDonald.
The Big Nickel serves a purpose despite game outcomes.
"It's one of the premiere tournaments in the province," said
McDonald. "It's well scouted and organized. There will be
scouts all over and it gives the kids a chance to show what
they can do on a big stage."
The Huskies are back after missing last year's event. It's been
a trying start for the bantam squad, as they have dealt with
numerous injuries to key players. They sport a record of
2-9-0-1, good for fourth place in the Northern Ontario AAA
Bantam Hockey League standings.
"If we can come out with a .500 record, we will be happy," said
head coach Dave Berthelot. "We want to compete in every game
and not get blown out. We're still learning as a club and
getting over big time injuries...we've had three guys with
broken collarbones, another with a broken wrist and another
with a busted elbow. We're healthy now and hoping it will work
to our advantage."
