North Stars now a win away from GNML title (updated with photos)

Despite a change in venue, the results remained the same as the Soo North Stars skated to a 6-1 victory over the North Bay Trappers on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Gardens.

The win gives the North Stars a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five Great North Midget League championship series.

The series will shift to North Bay next weekend with game three scheduled for Saturday night and game four, if necessary, on Sunday afternoon. A fifth game would be played on Tuesday, Mar. 22 in the Sault.

Trevor McNutt paced the North Stars offense with two goals and an assist while singles went to Derrek Coccimiglio, Paul Dupont, Michael Quesnele and Jake Reid. Travis O'Brien picked up his second win of the series in goal.

The North Stars were able to capitalize on letdowns by the Trappers by scoring in bunches. In the second period, McNutt and Dupont scored 38 seconds apart while Quesnele and McNutt tallied 56 second apart in the third.

"If you look at the score sheet, it was a different line for us today," said North Stars head coach Mike Hall. "It was DiCandia, Nutsy and Cocc. Not everyone looks at the little things but Cocc made a helluva pass through his feet to set up McNutt.

"I didn't think we had a lot of jump in the first period but we came out better in the second. I know the goaltender pulled himself (after the Soo's sixth goal) because he was frustrated but to his credit he kept them in the game."

Marc Senecal replied with the lone goal for North Bay.

"Overall I thought we played well but we let down for about five minutes in the game and they got five goals," said Trappers head coach and former NHLer Larry Keenan. "I thought they had to work harder for the win than they did last night and the score wasn't indicative of our play.

"We're going back to our own building and we're certainly not going to roll over for these guys. If they want to end it in three they are going to have to work hard for it. We'll be as ready as we can and do our best and go from there."

The North Stars also skated to a 6-1 victory in the series opener on Friday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Hall was also impressed with the play of defenseman Matt Conway and praised the tough blueliner's development over the course of the year.

"Matt Conway had a great game for us," said Hall. "I know he has been labelled as a hot head but he has played with so much composure this year and that's to his credit. He's a player. (Assistant coach) Carlo (DiCandia) has been matching him up against the other team's top players and he has done a great job."

The North Stars played the game without defenseman and team captain Ben Davey, who went for x-rays following Friday's game after taking a slash. The x-rays were negative and the team expects him to return to the lineup.

Zack McNally is also expected to return for game three after battling knee problems.

"The thing I am happy about is that our guys aren't that excited after these wins. Coming into the room the first thing they were saying is that we need one more win," said Hall.

"For kids 15, 16 and 17, they've been focused all year. It's really amazing the streak they've put together. There is some very mature kids in that room."

Overall, the North Stars sport a 42-2-1-1 record in regular season and playoff action.

The eventual GNML champion will advance to the regional playdowns being held Mar. 28-Apr. 3 in North York with the winner from there advancing to the national championships.

*** GNML FINAL:

1. NORTH STARS VS. 5. NORTH BAY

Game 1 - Fri. Mar. 11 - Soo 6 North Bay 1 Game 2 - Sat. Mar. 12 - Soo 6 North Bay 1 Game 3 - Sat. Mar. 19 - Soo vs. North Bay * Game 4 - Sun. Mar. 20 - Soo vs. North Bay * Game 5 - Tue. Mar. 22 - North Bay vs. Soo

(* if necessary)

*** GNML SEMI-FINALS:

1. NORTH STARS VS. 8. TIMMINS:

(North Stars win series 3-0)

Game 1 - Tue. Mar. 1 - Soo 6 Timmins 1 Game 2 - Wed. Mar. 2 - Soo 10 Timmins 0 Game 3 - Sun. Mar. 6 - Soo 10 Timmins 0

5. NORTH BAY VS. 6. KIRKLAND LAKE:

(North Bay wins series 3-1)

Game 1 - Fri. Mar. 4 - North Bay 3 Kirkland Lake 2 Game 2 - Sat. Mar. 5 - North Bay 3 Kirkland Lake 0 Game 3 - Mon. Mar. 7 - Kirkland Lake 2 North Bay 1 (OT) Game 4 - Tue. Mar. 8 - North Bay 3 Kirkland Lake 2 (OT)

*** GNML QUARTERFINALS:

1. NORTH STARS VS. 8. SUDBURY:

(North Stars win series 3-1)

Game 1 - Sat. Feb. 19 - Sudbury 3 Soo 2 Game 2 - Sun. Feb. 20 - Soo 7 Sudbury 1 Game 3 - Wed. Feb. 23 - Soo 7 Sudbury 3 Game 4 - Thurs. Feb. 24 - Soo 10 Sudbury 1

2. NEW LISKEARD vs. 7. TIMMINS

(Timmins wins series 3-1)

Game 1 - Fri. Feb. 18 - Timmins 2 New Liskeard 1 Game 2 - Sun. Feb. 20 - New Liskeard 4 Timmins 2 Game 3 - Fri. Feb. 25 - Timmins 4 New Liskeard 2 Game 4 - Sun. Feb. 27 - Timmins 5 New Liskeard 1

3. KAPUSKASING vs. 6. KIRKLAND LAKE

(Kirkland Lake win series 3-2)

Game 1 - Sat. Feb. 19 - Kirkland Lake 4 Kapuskasing 3 Game 2 - Sun. Feb. 20 - Kapuskasing 3 Kirkland Lake 3 Game 3 - Sat. Feb. 26 - Kapuskasing 2 Kirkland Lake 1 Game 4 - Sun. Feb. 27 - Kirkland Lake 6 Kapuskasing 3 Game 5 - Sat. Mar. 5 - Kirkland Lake 3 Kapuskasing 0

4. VALLEY EAST vs. 5. NORTH BAY

(North Bay wins series 3-0)

Game 1 - Fri. Feb. 18 - North Bay 5 Valley East 4 (OT) Game 2 - Sat. Feb. 19 - North Bay 5 Valley East 3 Game 3 - Sat. Feb. 26 - North Bay 2 Valley East 1