Indians looking to keep winning streak alive

NEWS RELEASE

SOO INDIANS

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Unbeaten Indians put winning streak on the line The Soo Indians, who have won four straight games to begin the '06-07 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season, put their unbeaten streak on the line this weekend. The Indians travel to Manitoulin to play the Islanders on Friday before returning home to Big Bear Arena to face the Abitibi Eskimos on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Big Bear Arena. Tickets for all Indians' home games are just $5, which is the lowest price in the NOJHL. Three of the Indians' wins this season have been by one goal and head coach Jim Capy has noted the character and togetherness of the club and its team-first attitude. "This is a good group of players," Capy noted. "We are carrying 26 players and guys have to sit every game but so far the kids have been very understanding and supportive." The Indians' offense has been balanced so far with defenceman Nick Novak leading the team with five points -- all assists. Five players have have tallied four points apiece to date -- Derek Thocker (2-2), Nick Zilka (2-2), Sean Reid (2-2), Chris Cooper (1-3) and James Ciotti (1-3.) Three others have three points -- Daniel Vernelli (2-1), Joe Larson (2-1) and Paul Isleib (0-3.) Second-year goalie Elliot Hogue has been a sensation in his two starts, having won them both while allowing just three goals and stopping 67 of 70 shots for a .957 save percentage. Meanwhile, although two NOJHL teams are still looking for their first wins of the young season, if the six games that were played last week are any indication, there's a strong semblance of balance to the seven-member loop. Amazingly, all six NOJHL games played last week were decided by one goal, including three in overtime and one by shootout.

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