NOJHL blanks OJHL North

SMITHS FALLS— Team NOJHL found the victory column at the 2011 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge on Wednesday night.

And three members of the Abitibi Eskimos played a significant role in the 1-0 win over Ontario Junior Hockey League North.

Goaltender J.P. Fecteau split the game with Kirkand Lake’s Ken Appleby, who was credited with the win.

Fecteau stopped all 15 shots he faced in the second period, while Appleby made seven saves in the first period.

And Eskimos captain Richard Therrien and defenceman Kealey Cummings picked up assists on Sudbury Cubs forward Nick Esposito’s game-winning goal.

Cummings and the fourth Eskimo on the NOJHL team, forward Jordan Delaurier, each took a minor penalty, as well.

Knicholas Dawe played all 40 minutes in goal for Ontario Junior Hockey League North, stopping 13 of the 14 NOJHL shots.

Team NOJHL finished the 2011 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge with a record of 1-2, scoring three goals and allowing eight.

That record left them tied for fifth place in the eight-team tournament with Ontario Junior Hockey League South (nine goals for and nine against) and Ontario Junior Hockey League West (six goals for and 11 against).

The top four teams in the tournament — Central Canadian Hockey League Robinson (3-0), Central Canadian Hockey League Yzerman (2-1), Ontario Junior Hockey League North (2-1) and Ligue de Hockey Junior AAA du Québec (2-1) advanced to semifinal action on Thursday.

Note: Quebec defeated OJHL North 5-1 in the Championship Final.