It's still early, but standings became even more bunched up in the GNML this past weekend. Understand why as we recap the last seven days with Peter Michelutti's End of the Roll Great North Midget League Weekly Report.
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With no game action for his team in almost three weeks, head coach Joel Whissell wasn't entirely sure of what he would get from his Nickel City Sons as they opened their 2014-2015 home schedule with a two-game set against the Timmins Majors.
A 7-1 triumph Saturday in Garson would set the tone, with the Sons completing the sweep the next day when Makenzie MacMillan scored the overtime winner, lifting Nickel City past Timmins 4-3.
"The break actually helped us today," said Whissell after the Saturday encounter. "The guys had fresh legs, and we were able to work on some stuff the last couple of weeks, and it actually showed out there."
David Ranger and Joel Grandbois scored two goals apiece for the Sons, with Nikolas Godin, Mitchal Payette and Broedy Bertrand rounding things off. Dillan Bruce converted on a second period power play for Timmins, as the Majors trailed 3-0 after the first period and 4-1 after two.
"We knew that they were a little tired, a little rundown," noted Whissell. "They were missing 3-4 guys out of their lineup as well. We wanted to make sure to take it to them. It's unfortunate for them, but you've got to take advantage of the situation."
The Majors showed more jump the next day, building up a 3-1 lead after forty minutes on a pair of goals from Jace Soroko and another from Greg Willett. But power play markers by Brayden Henri and Bertrand to go along with an early tally from Connor Tessier would send the contest to overtime, setting the stage for the heroics from MacMillan.
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In the sick bay: The Sons remain without the services of defenseman Bryson McLaughlin, out with a broken hand that was sustained in the team's first practice after returning from their mid-September road trip to Kapuskasing and Timmins.
Timmins, meanwhile, has been hit much harder with the injury bug. Forward Wayne Mathieu, who racked up seven points in five games to date, is day to day and should be ready for the Thanksgiving three-game set in Sault Ste Marie after missing out on the Sons.
Forward Alex Brisson played in the first three games before being sidelined for up to 4-6 weeks, though he seems to be progressing more quickly than first anticipated. Defenseman Keenan Miller is underdoing some tests currently for an undisclosed injury, with Brett Peever on the shelf for 3-4 weeks with an upper body injury.
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The Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves learned the hard way not to underestimate any opponent when the Kapuskasing Flyers picked up only their second win in eight games on Saturday, trouncing the visiting Wolves 10-2.
Trevor Cheff exploded with a four-goal outing, adding an assist, while linemate Tyler Minoletti matched his point production with a goal and four assists. Rounding out the Kap scoring were Graysen Vigneux, Kyle Sanford, Derek Goulet, Raphael Lecours and Chad Robert, with Owen Fransen and Ryan Theriault answering in a losing cause.
The Nickel Capital Wolves managed to leave town with the split, jumping out to a 4-0 lead on Sunday and holding on for a 6-4 win. Theriault netted a natural hat trick to start things off for the visitors, with Fransen, Noah Blackwell and Thomas Farrell contributing with goals later.
Cheff and Minoletti were back on the scoresheet in the rematch, joined by teammates Kristopher Caroll and Martin Isabelle.
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The North Bay Trappers and New Liskeard Cubs also completed their two game set in the Gateway City with a saw-off, with the Trappers taking the opener 7-3 and the Cubs rebounding for a 5-3 win on Sunday.
League-leading scorer Jeff Jordan and Charlie Iserhoff drilled two goals apiece for North Bay in the win, while Mickey George, Jacob Delisle and Conor Eastaugh capped the offense.
Cayse Ton, Marshal Nikitin and Calvin Chartrand hit the mark for the visitors, as the Cubs were handed their first regulation time loss of the season. The team atoned itself in game two as Jacob Leveillé pulled the trigger twice in the opening frame, with Cade Herd, Gabriel Rheault and Nikitin following his lead.
Devyn Martel, Iserhoff and Eastaugh countered for North Bay, with the team now sitting in third place with a record of 4-4-0-0, sandwiched between Sudbury (4-1-0-1) and Timmins (3-5-0-1).
