BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
The three local entries in the Great North
Midget Hockey League are making noise for good and bad
reasons.
Here's quick look at all three teams, recent
scores and future games.
Sudbury Nickel Capitals
The Capitals won one and lost one this past
weekend. The Capitals dropped a 4-1 decision to New Liskeard on
the road.
Matt Bouchard scored the lone goal for the
Capitals. Joey Delwo, despite many great saves, was tagged with
the loss. The Nickel Capitals quickly got back in the win
column by blasting Kirkland Lake 6-3 at the Countryside
Arena.
Bouchard led the charge again, potting two
goals. Jordan Kuruliak, P.J. Taus, Vern Cooper and Joey
Derochie also scored for the Capitals.
Andre Frappier was in net for the Capitals
and got the win. Frappier was then the backup goalie for the
Sudbury Junior Wolves game Sunday evening as their number one
goalie was suspended and spare goalie was injured.
With the results, the Capitals are now second
overall in the GNML with a record of 5-1. The Capitals sit two
points behind league leading Sault Ste. Marie North
Stars.
The Capitals also have the current leading
scorer in the GNML.
Cooper is a much herald prospect for the 2006
OHL draft. Cooper leads the Capitals and the GNML with five
goals and 13 points in six games. The Capitals also have three
other leading scorers in the league's Top-10.
Derochie is third with seven goals and 10
points in six games. Kyle Tarini has six goals and eight points
in five games and Dale A. Pidutti has six goals and seven
points in four games.
The Capitals next game is tonight as they
host Rayside-Balfour at the Countryside Arena. Game time is
7:20 pm.
Sudbury then plays host to Kapuskasing
Saturday at the Countryside Arena. Game time is 7:20 pm.
Rayside-BalfourSabrecats
The Sabrecats also went 1-1 this past weekend
during a road trip to Kapuskasing. The Sabrecats were bounced
by Kapuskasing 4-2 on Saturday.
Rayside avenged their loss by pounding
Kapuskasing Sunday afternoon 7-4. Chad Mallette and Craig
Laliberte scored two goals each to pace the Sabrecats in the
win. Zack McGillis, Tommy Moore and Chris Kangas rounded out
the scoring.
Al Valiquette got the win in net for Rayside.
Valiquette made 28 saves.
The Sabrecats got the split despite playing a
lot of hockey down one player. In the two games, Rayside had 11
penalties to Kapuskasing's four.
The Sabrecats now sit in fourth place in the
GNML with a solid 3-1 record.
The Sabrecats current leading scorer is Jason
Chevrier, who has three goals and five points in four
games.
After taking on the Nickel Capitals tonight,
the Sabrecats hit the road to play Timmins Saturday
night.
Valley East Cobras
The Cobras had the tough task of playing
another back-to-back series against the defending GNML
champions Sault Ste. Marie this past weekend and lost both
games.
The Cobras hung tight in the first game,
losing 1-0.
In the return matchup, the Cobras were
soundly defeated 8-1.
Matt Demore scored the lone goal for the
Cobras.
With the results, the Cobras are now last in
the league without a point in four games.
The Cobras hope to get into the win column
this weekend. Valley East hits the road and plays New Liskeard
on Friday, before making the trip to North Bay to battle the
Trappers on Sunday.
