North Stars snare Trappers in season opener

The Soo North Stars began defense of their Great North Midget League championship in fine form on Saturday night.

Playing an experienced North Bay Trappers team, the North Stars built a 5-0 lead and held on for 5-2 win in the season opener at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

The North Stars enter the season with five returnees from last year's squad that cruised to the league and playoff championship before advancing to the regional playdowns.

Included in the group of veterans are goaltender Travis O'Brien, Paul Dupont, Ben Davey, Tyler Gendron and Jake McClelland.

"We're very happy with this win," said North Stars head coach Mike Hall. "North Bay had two exhibition games already and this is the first time our kids have played together. We saw things that we have to work on but we knew that going in. It's a matter of getting games in to see where we are."

After a scoreless first period, Mike Quesnele opened the scoring midway through the second period to kick start the local's offense.

Just 1:15 later, Trevor McNutt added another goal before Dupont put the North Stars ahead 3-0 after two periods.

In the third period, Brad DiCandia scored at 5:42 and added another just 10 seconds later to increase the lead to 5-0.

North Bay, who returned 11 players from last year, then found some momentum with two goals from Kyle Willard and Lance McMahon in a 2:06 span to close the gap to 5-2.

Despite pressing for more, O'Brien closed the door and made several good stops down the stretch.

"We had scoring from three lines today and that is what we are going to rely on all year. We won't be a one line team and we'll have to have all three going and working hard to be successful."

The two clubs will meet again Sunday at the Rhodes beginning at 2 p.m., a slight change from the traditional 1 p.m. start.

"We're looking for another big effort (on Sunday) so we can head up north (to Timmins) next weekend with a pair of wins under our belts," said Hall.