Thunderbirds fall in North Bay

NORTH BAY -- Slow starts have become a growing concern for the Skyhawks this season. Friday night versus the Sault Ste. Marie Thunderbirds, the Hawks put together one of their best first periods on home ice in weeks, leading the way to a 6-4 victory. This was a highly anticipated match up with both teams at the top of their respective conferences. Early on, it seemed like no contest.

Nathan Hewitt got North Bay on the board with a power play goal, scoring on the third consecutive rebound in a goalmouth scramble. Hewitt struck again shortly after, capitalizing on a great pass from Arron Aassinewai and a Thunderbird defensive giveaway. Aassinewai hasn’t seen much ice lately due to a wrist injury but had a regular shift. The former member of the Manitoulin Wild finished with two assists. "He’s a kid that when he wants to play he can turn it on." Hawks Coach Kevin Kerr said of his off season acquisition. North Bay would put one more on the board before the first frame came to a close. Quinn Waller put a low hard shot on net from the point and Adam Cook tipped it past Soo Goalie Mike Maulucci. Final shots in the first would total 21 to 5 for the home side. "I think we played the first period on four flat tires," a disappointed Thunderbirds head coach Zoltan Kovacs said of his club which was badly outshot 42-16 on the night. "I thought the last two periods we picked our game up." His team did just that scoring two straight goals in the second. The second or which, was on the most exciting play in hockey, the penalty shot. Zac McNally chose a risky move going with a back hand, one handed, five hole deke. The risk paid off to put his team within a goal. "I wish (the great start) would have carried over to the second and third," a somewhat frustrated Kerr stated. "We kept allowing them to come to us instead of us continuing to go to them." North Bay answered quickly with Brett Venasse taking a wrist shot that hit Maulucci’s mask and bounded into the cage. Both teams scored twice in the third. The clincher by Dustin McCrank as he skated in just over the Soo blue line and rifled a slapper top corner to send the crowd of 2,170 into a frenzy. The fan favourite had a goal and an assist giving him 10 points on the year. "Full marks to North Bay. Mr Kerr’s got them playing well." Kovacs said after of his adversary. "I'm sure Guy's not done making moves and they’re going to improve even more." But Kerr still feels there's lots of room for improvement. "I'm still waiting to see us play a full 60 minutes," said Kerr. Should the Hawks begin to do so, the rest of the league could be in trouble.

Story by Jacob Robinson of BayToday.ca