Mitch Calvert
The Fort Frances Jr. Sabres made the most of their final home date until Dec. 20, earning a 5-0 win over the Sioux Lookout Flyers on Saturday night.
Brendan Baumgartner notched two goals, giving him 17 on the season, while new goalie Kyle Ruhl turned aside 10 shots for the shutout in his first SIJHL start.
Baumgartner’s first goal came early in the first period when he deflected a Mike Boese slap pass past former Sabres’ goalie David Novak.
Graham Dyck added to the lead midway through the first, banking in a centering pass off a Flyers’ defender, then Dan Usiski added a late one before intermission.
Baumgartner’s second goal was the only scoring of the middle frame, on a snap shot from the slot, before Colton Kennedy rounded out the scoring with a similar rising shot from the slot in the third.
Novak made 44 saves for the Flyers (0-20-1), but it wasn’t enough to beat his former team in his second start with Sioux Lookout. He lost 9-2 to the Dryden Ice Dogs in his debut on Nov. 28.
The Sabres (13-8-1) improved their home record to 8-4, but now go on the road for five games beginning with a two-game set versus these same Flyers tomorrow and Saturday (Dec. 6).
“We just have to look at it as four points we must get,” Sabres’ head coach Wayne Strachan remarked. “We don’t want to be the first team to lose to them.
“I realize it is tough to get up to play them [the Flyers], but we have to look at the standings and these are much-needed points to stay in the hunt for second right now,” he stressed.
The Sabres currently are two points behind the Schreiber Diesels (14-8-1) for second spot, with a game in hand.
The Thunder Bay Bearcats (12-6-4) are in third, one point back of the Diesels, while the Fort William North Stars lead the way at 15-1-3.
“They have gotten a little better, but it’s hard to prepare for the games [against Sioux Lookout] sometimes,” Sabres’ defenceman Will Morrisseau admitted after Saturday night’s win.
“Guys don’t take it as serious, [but] we just have to play like we did [Saturday] and think like we’re playing the North Stars or Bearcats, I guess,” he added. “We’re on a good roll, especially at home.
“It’s either between us or the [North] Stars the way I see it right now, so we’ve got to keep working hard.”
In addition to adding Ruhl and shipping out Novak, the Sabres also acquired enforcer Kalib Thunderchief from the SJHL’s Kindersley Klippers for future considerations prior to the Dec. 1 trade deadline.
Thunderchief, who also suited up for Saturday’s game, has a reputation as a fighter—having logged 44 minutes in penalties in 10 games with the Klippers this season.
“Thunderchief brings a physical presence, something we haven’t had in two years,” Strachan noted. “He has impressed the staff in his play, as well as gives our smaller players a little more ease as they know he will work hard to help them out.
“He was good on the bench, very positive, and all in all will help the team.”
“Looks like he’s doing all right out there and he should bring a big presence and toss some guys around,” Sabres’ forward Mitch Cain agreed with a laugh. “Bringing in some new guys here, so hopefully that will shape things up and keeps things rolling.”
Strachan said the decision to move back-up Novak was a difficult one—but one that will give the goalie more of an opportunity to play on a regular basis.
“Dave going to the Flyers was a win-win situation for both the team and Dave,” he remarked. “Yes, it is probably tough to swallow at first being traded from a team you have been a part of for two years, but he now will be a No. 1-goalie and get the minutes he wants and needs to further develop.
“We get a good situation where we bring another young goalie [in] who will battle with Ryan [Faragher], and further help us in our development for the future,” Strachan added.
Ruhl’s grandfather was the late John Ferguson—well-known in hockey circles for both his successful playing career and time as an executive.
Both the Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators had scouts in attendance at Saturday night’s game here.
