Oct 03, 2012- 2:52 PM
"I thought if we got off to a 6-4 start, it would have been a really good start for us," Clancy said on Saturday, taking in some of the minor midget game between Nickel City and Sault Ste. Marie at the Garson Arena.
Friday night in North Bay, the Barons bounced back from a game-tying, penalty-shot goal in the final minute of play, trimming the Trappers 4-3 in double overtime.
Suffering something of a letdown one night later, the locals still managed to secure their eighth straight victory, going to overtime, yet again, in topping the Blind River Beavers by the same 4-3 score.
The unexpected early season run has garnered the Nickel Barons national scale attention, with the team sitting fifth in the country in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) rankings.
"I'm surprised, obviously," Clancy said. "What has most surprised me is how well our young 'D' have held up. They've bent at times, but haven't broken very often."
They have also provided key offensive contributions, with rookie blueliner Scott Sirkka jumping into the rush to score the game-winner in North Bay, after returning defenceman Brett Dusick netted a power play goal of his own, midway through the third, to give the visitors a 3-1 lead at the time.
"We have a lot of speed and I thought our speed in the overtime exposed them a bit," Clancy said.
On Saturday, it was smooth-skating Mississauga prospect Bradley Bell who provided the heroics, scoring midway through the three-on-three session.
Despite surrendering a late heart-breaking goal on Friday and not playing up to expectations on Saturday, the Barons have continued to find a way to win.
"The bench has been positive all year, so there was no panic there," Clancy said.
Sudbury is in for another stiff test this evening (Oct. 3) in Copper Cliff as the defending champion Soo Thunderbirds (4-1-1-1) make their first visit of the season.
Although Walden native Adam Ritchie is showing the way offensively for the T-Birds with 11 points in his first seven games, it's the Sudbury tandem of Darcy Haines and Sebastien Leroux topping the NOJHL scoring charts, combining for 38 points.
The puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. at the McLelland Arena.
