Eskimos salvage win from trip

NORTH BAY - The Abitibi Eskimos dominated the North Bay Trappers to secure a 5-2 win in the final game of a three-game road trip Sunday.

The first two games of the trip — a 6-3 loss to the Bobcats in Elliot Lake Friday night and a 4-2 loss to the Nickel Barons on Saturday night — were not what the Eskimos had been looking for when they embarked on the trip.

Sunday, however, the Eskimos took control of the game early and never looked back.

Ben Miller and Brenden Locke scored first-period goals to put the Eskimos in front 2-0 heading into the first intermission.

“We started off really strong,” said Eskimos coach and general manager Paul Gagne.

“As soon as we scored that first goal, from some reason, we just picked up the momentum.

“We just played the old Eskis way, the way we played prior to the first two games this weekend.

“(The first two games), we just had some brain farts and it cost us goals.

“We just continued on, putting pressure on them. Our players were in the hockey mode, that’s for sure.”

Marc Dube, back in the lineup following a concussion, scored the only goal of the second period to increase the Eskimos lead to 3-0.

Shane Hiley and Brady Clouthier added third-period goals to put the visitors in front 5-0 before the Trappers could get on the scoreboard.

“One of the bright spots today was young Brenden Locke,” Gagne said.

“He was outstanding. I would say he was the best player on the ice for both teams today.

“He logged a lot of ice time, he played lots and he was just outstanding.

“(Ben) Miller scored a nice goal and the young (Brennan) Roy had three assists. He was really involved.

Blake Peavey ruined Brody Wagner’s shutout bid 12:11 into the final frame.

“Brody made a couple of stellar saves,” Gagne said.

“The rest of the time, he just stopped the puck and gave us confidence.

“We put a lot of pressure on them and by doing that, we played in the offensive zone.

“You know the old saying, keep shooting and something good is going to happen.”

And Henry Yawit’s goal with just over two minutes remaining in the game made the final score seem a little more respectable than it actually was.

The Eskimos outshot the Trappers 45-33, keeping North Bay goalie Dustin Hummel busy throughout the game.

Nickel Barons 4

Eskimos 2

Giovanni Foschia scored a pair of goals to pace the attack for the Nickel Barons in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Eskimos, while Kurtis Clouthier and Justin Bell each added a goal for Sudbury.

Andrew Green and Brenden Locke replied for the Eskimos.

The two sides were tied 1-1 after the first period, but the Nickel Barons took a 3-1 advantage after 40 minutes.

Michael Muzyka stopped 40 of the 42 shots the Eskimos fired at him to pick up the win.

Sylvain Miron, of the Eskimos, made 42 saves while suffering the loss.

The Eskimos were 1-5 on the power play, while the Nickel Barons were 1-6 with the man advantage.

Bobcats 6

Eskimos 3

Friday night in Elliot Lake, Kyle Rowe had a pair of goals to lead the Bobcats to a 6-3 win over the Eskimos.

Ryan Fletcher, Dustin Corderio, Brett Wagner and Andrew Palushaj also scored for the home side.

Shayne Hiley, Ryan Tront and Jacob Kenney each had a goal for the Eskimos.

The two sides were tied 2-2 following the first period of play, but the Bobcats scored three unanswered goals in the second period to break the game wide open.

Alex Bitsakis made 29 saves for the Bobcats to earn the win.

Brody Wagner started the game for the Eskimos and stopped 21 of the 25 shots he faced to take the loss. Miron stopped 20 of the 21 shots fired his way in relief.

The Eskimos were 1-6 on the power play, while the Bobcats were 0-2 with the man advantage.

The next game for the Eskimos will be on Saturday night when they host the Nickel Barons at the Jus Jordan Arena.

Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Eskimos acquire Hiebert

IROQUOIS FALLS - The Abitibi Eskimos have bolstered their forward ranks with the addition of Landon Hiebert, from the Flin Flon Bombers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

Hiebert was acquired by the Eskimos on Friday in exchange for the rights to forward Peter Poulin-Roy.

In 14 games with the Bombers, Hiebert had one goal and 36 minutes in penalties. The 5-10, 175 lb., native of Red Deer, Alta., can play either right wing, or centre.

In 41 games with the Bombers last season, Hiebert scored nine goals and added nine assists, will spending 15 minutes in the penalty box.

During 2011-12, he had eight goals and seven assists in 46 games.