NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, March 14, 2014
Playoff series preview: Kirkland Lake Gold Miners – North Bay Trappers
SUDBURY – The Joe Mavrinac Community Complex in Kirkland Lake will be the site of game 1 of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League quarter-final playoff series between the hometown Gold Miners and the visiting North Bay Trappers tonight. All the action will get underway at 7:30 p.m.
Here is a preview of this best-of-seven match-up:
SCHEDULE: After hosting the series opener this evening at “The Joe”, Kirkland Lake will also be the home side for game 2, which goes Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.
The series will then head to the Mike Rodden Arena in Mattawa for games 3 and 4 Monday and Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Should it be needed game 5 is slated for next Friday, March 21, back in Kirkland Lake at 7:30 p.m.
A sixth game in the best-of-seven affair is scheduled for Saturday, March 22 in Mattawa at 7 p.m.
If a seventh and deciding game is necessary, Kirkland Lake will host it on Monday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.
COMING IN: Entering the playoffs Kirkland Lake has been very solid as they wrapped up regular season competition with a nifty 7-1-1-1 record picking up 17 of a possible 20 points. They also only allowed 17 goals against in that span while scoring 39 times themselves.
It was a lot tougher for the Trappers as they were just 1-9 in their final 10 contests.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: The Gold Miners dominated the season series between the two teams, winning all eight meetings between the two clubs outscoring the Trappers 33-13.
They have however only met twice in 2014 and not since Jan. 27. Three of the get togethers were decided by one goal, including a double overtime game back on Oct. 11
GAME RESULTS
Sept. 30 @ North Bay: 5-2 Gold Miners
Oct. 11 @ Kirkland Lake: 2-1 Gold Miners (2OT)
Nov. 2 @ North Bay: 5-3 Gold Miners
Nov.5 @ Kirkland Lake: 6-2 Gold Miners
Dec.6 @ Kirkland Lake: 2-1 Gold Miners
Dec. 21 @ North Bay 4-1 Gold Miners
Jan. 18 @ Kirkland Lake 6-1 Gold Miners
Jan. 27 @ North Bay 3-2 Gold Miners
POINT PRODUCERS: Pacing Kirkland Lake in scoring against the Trappers was Samuel Wilbur.
Wilbur picked up 13 points vs. North Bay while with the Gold Miners scoring four times and adding nine assists. He also had a goal against the Trappers in two outings while he was with Blind River earlier in the season.
Steven Babin was next on the club in offensive production vs. North Bay picking up 10 points on three tallies and seven helpers.
Everett Thompson was the top goal scorer for Kirkland Lake in games against North Bay as he found the back of the net five times.
NOJHL first team all-star Jeremy Picard-Fiset also chipped in as the defenceman had three goals and pair of assists .
Anthony Postiglione led the Trappers in scoring vs. the Gold Miners with four points.
Tyler Broderson, Henry Yawit and Eric Champagne all had three points against them.
BETWEEN THE PIPES: Kenny Fitzgerald was a perfect 5-0 in games in appearances vs. North Bay allowing only nine goals.
Second team NOJHL all-star Evan Cormier did his part to try and keep his side in games while taking on Kirkland Lake as he faced 243 shots in six meetings as he saw on average over 40 shots per contest.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The Miners struck six times in 40 chances while on the power play while North Bay went two for 30 with the man advantage.
Each side had a short-handed effort.
OVERALL: Kirkland Lake finished 56 points ahead of North Bay in the overall standings while scoring 80 more goals and allowing 120 fewer markers against then the Trappers.
