Nickel Capital Wolves triple Trappers 9-3 in home opener

On the sidelines as action kicked off in New Liskeard, Kapuskasing and Timmins over the weekend, the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves found a way to expend their built-up energy, tripling the visiting North Bay Trappers 9-3 in their home opener Wednesday night at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.

The top Sudbury trio of Anthony Pelletier, Ryan Theriault and Owen Fransen wasted little time serving notice that they will be a line to watch, combining for 12 points, including five by Pelletier alone (goal and four assists).

Fransen and Timmins native Calvin Naveau scored two goals apiece, with Theriault, Austin Burke, Ryley Chum and Jake Stos rounding out the scoring. Connor Eastaugh, Garrett Bosum and Jeff Jordan replied for the Trappers, as Nickel Caps' goalie Adam Greasley held the visitors off the scoreboard until the final minutes of the second period.

"I grew up playing with (Anthony) Pelletier, and I've played a couple of years with (Owen) Fransen," said Theriault, who returned to the GNML after suiting up with the Espanola Rivermen of the NOJHL last year.

"I didn't think that we were going to get as many opportunities as we did, but I knew for sure that we were going to be a top line out there," Theriault continued. "As long as we keep our feet moving and keep passing the pucks around lots, we'll have some success."

The Trappers were without the services of No. 1 goaltender Colton Point, out on a day-to-day basis with a minor injury. Returning head coach Mike Reise took time to chat before the game, providing an assessment of the 2014-2015 edition of the North Bay squad.

"We don't have a lot of returning guys from last year," noted Reise. "The group of guys that we do have want to be here. I like what we have. These guys will listen, because they want to learn."

Still, with the loss of Nathaniel McLeod (33 goals), Aaron Dart (22) and Michael Silveri (15) in the off-season, the Trappers will feature a much different look than the team which led the GNML in scoring last year with 141 markers in just 30 games.

"We're not going to be as deep on our scoring touch," acknowledged Reise. "Last year, we had all three lines contributing on offence. We're going to have to play a lot more defensive, and we're going to have to rely on our goaltender, Colton Point, a lot more this year."

North Bay opened the season with a pair of victories at home over the Kapuskasing Flyers, blanking the visitors 4-0 and 7-0.

Though the Nickel Capital Wolves received a few very pleasant surprises during the course of training camp this August, general manager Albert Corradini insists the GNML is not out of the woods yet when it comes to the long-term stability of the league.

"I'll be honest — we weren't sure that we were going to be able to field a team this year," said Corradini in the week leading up to the season-opening games. "We're extremely pleased at where we ended up.

"But I'm still concerned," he continued. "I don't know how much longer nine NOJHL teams, four or five unsanctioned (non Hockey Canada junior teams) league teams, eight Great North Midget League teams and two minor midget elite teams can be supported."

"That's a lot of hockey teams. If a lot of those teams were populated by kids who are not minor hockey aged, then maybe it's sustainable. But when so many of these teams seem to have to rely on kids that still have minor hockey eligibility to field teams, then I don't know how much longer we can survive."

A moment of silence was observed, prior to the contest, in memory of former Nickel Capital Wolves player D.J. Hancock, killed in a tragic car accident last month. Sudbury team management confirmed that arrangements are being made to host a game in honour of the young athlete within the next few months.

Following is a complete breakdown of all remaining GNML games from last week:

Friday, Sept. 5
Timmins 4 New Liskeard 3
Jordan Picard scored the game-winning goal in overtime and Wayne Mathieu added a pair of tallies for the winners as the Majors edged the Cubs in New Liskeard

Saturday, Sept. 6
North Bay 4 Kapuskasing 0
Devyn Martel scored twice and Colton Point recorded the shutout as the Trappers provided a rude opening weekend welcome for the Flyers

Sunday, Sept. 7
North Bay 7 Kapuskasing 0
Make it back to back shutouts for Point as Jeff Jordan drills the hat-trick, completing the Trappers two game sweep

New Liskeard 7 Timmins 1
The Cubs turned the tables on the Majors at the MacIntyre Arena, riding a three-goal performance from Jacob Leveillé and two goals each from Cayse Ton and Marshal Nikitin to victory