By Thomas Perry, The Daily Press (Timmins)
SUDBURY – The Timmins Rock, who took on the Eskis in Iroquois Falls Wednesday night, will have to travel a little farther for their next encounter with their NOJHL East Division rivals, even though technically it’s a home game.
Like all 11 of the league’s other franchises, the Rock will play a road game and a home game during the NOJHL Showcase Tournament at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex in Sudbury next week.
After travelling to Kirkland Lake for a road game against the Gold Miners Friday night, the Rock will return home to host the Soo Thunderbirds at the McIntyre Arena Sunday afternoon.
Next up for the Rock, will be an encounter with the Cochrane Crunch at the NOJHL Showcase Tournament on Tuesday.
That game, scheduled for 9 p.m., will see the Rock dress in their road whites, but the following day, they will host the Eskis at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex in an 11 a.m. start.
In addition to playing the Rock, the Eskis will take on the Powassan Voodoos on Tuesday, while the Crunch will face off against the French River Rapids on Wednesday.
The Gold Miners, meanwhile, will take on the Rapids on Tuesday and the Voodoos on Wednesday.
All 12 games being played by the two-day tournament will count in the NOJHL standings.
The main purpose of the tournament is to showcase the talent on the NOJHL’s 12 teams for scouts.
Currently there are more than 30 scouts confirmed to attend the event ranging from NHL Central Scouting, NHL clubs, NCAA and CIS programs as well as members of OHL team management and scouting staffs.
Admission to the NOJHL Showcase Tournament is just $5 a day for adults and students while children under 12 will be admitted free.
All NOJHL games — including those at the showcase tournament — are available online, via pay-per-view, at FASTHockey.com.
Following is the schedule of NOJHL Showcase games:
Tuesday
Rayside-Balfour vs Espanola, 8:30 a.m.
French River vs Kirkland Lake, 11 a.m.
Soo Eagles vs Blind River, 1:30 p.m.
Powassan vs Iroquois Falls, 4 p.m.
Soo Thunderbirds vs Elliot Lake, 6:30 p.m.
Timmins vs Cochrane, 9 p.m.
Wednesday
Kirkland Lake vs Powassan, 8:30 a.m.
Iroquois Falls vs Timmins, 11 a.m.
Espanola vs Soo Thunderbirds, 1:30 p.m.
Elliot Lake vs Soo Eagles, 4 p.m.
Cochrane vs French River, 6:30 p.m.
Blind River vs Rayside-Balfour, 9 p.m.
