NIPIGON – On Friday October 7th at the Nipigon Community Centre the Nipigon Elks had their home opener for the 2011-2012 hockey season. The Elks played host to the Schreiber Filane Falcons. The Falcons are one of two new teams in the league this year. The other new team comes out of Dryden and their name is the Northern Renegades.
Pre-game ceremonies were led off by Moriah Harvey singing O’Canada. After Moriah was finished singing O’Canada there a special dedication to the late Nipigon Volunteer Fire Service Chef Roy Cross. For anyone who didn’t know Roy Cross he was a hero, volunteer, neighbour and a friend. Our sincere condolences to the Cross Family on behalf of the staff and players of the Nipigon Elks Jr. B Hockey Team. There was a minutes silence held for Roy Cross.
The Nipigon Elks started the scoring at the 4:16 mark of the first period. The goal came from returning team captain Steven St. Jean. Nipigon would go up to a 2-0 lead with a goal from Eric Rubach at the 10:14 mark. It was a very exciting period of hockey to watch. The crowd was really into it. After one period of play it was 2-0 for the Elks. Shots on goal were 12-12.
The second period was all Nipigon. Nipigon’s Landon Clearwater scored his first of three at the second period. Goals by Steven St.Jean, Cole Saunders, Mitch Kerr would put Nipigon up 6-0. The visiting Falcons would finally put the puck behind Elks rookie goaltender Mitchell Barr who is from Red Rock. Mark Dawd would get that goal back for the Elks and end the scoring for the second period. After two periods Nipigon was in charge at 7-1. Nipigon out shot the Falcons 16-7. The second period saw a fight break out between the Falcons Joe Kennedy and Nipigon’s Aric Stein. Both players were sent to their dressing rooms.
Nipigon would blow the game wider open four more goals in the third period to make the score 11-1. The goals came from Mark Dawd his second, Johannes Lahtinen, Steven St.Jean his third and Landon Clearwater his second. John Luc Moses scored Schreiber’s second goal at the 9:09 mark. Nipigon would score four more goals to end the score at 15-2. Nipigon Elks were led by Steven St.Jean and Landon Clearwater with hattricks. Two goal performances came from Mark Dawd, Cole Saunders and Mitch Kerr. Single markers came from Jesse Assunmaa, Eric Rubach and Johannes Lahtinen. The goals for the visiting Falcon’s came from Mike Fummerton and John Luc Moses.
The Elks had to go to Schreiber the next night to play against the Falcons. Nipigon won the game 8-3. They were led by Brandon Polhill and Tyler Assunmaa with a pair of goals each. The other goals came from Mitchell Steadwell, Cole Saunders, Landon Clearwater and Alex Harvey.
The Elks next home game is Friday October 14th, when they will be hosting the Thunder Bay Junior Stars. Game time is at 7:30pm. Come out and watch great Jr.B hockey.
Doug Harvey
for NetNewsledger Nipigon Sports.