North Bay blanks Halifax Metro in Esso Cup opener

by Alexa Dziubenko

BURNABY, B.C. –North Bay (Ontario) shut out the Halifax Metro (Atlantic) in a 3-0 win Sunday to kick off the 2013 Esso Cup.

Corie Jacobson (Warren, Ont.) scored two of three goals inside Bill Copeland Sports Centre, which buzzed with excitement on Day 1 of Canada’s National Midget Championship. Special kudos also went to players of the game Laura Polak (Bedford N.S.) of Metro Halifax Boston Pizza and Chloe Dion (North Bay, Ont.) of the North Bay Ice Boltz.

Both teams showed strong offence and defence throughout the first period, exchanging several scoring chances. The game started with Halifax Metro putting on the pressure, when Alyssa MacNeil (Halifax, N.S.) almost put it past the goal line. Halifax Metro had a few more near-goals, but North Bay goalie Sabrina Picard (Hearst, Ont.) managed to consistently shut them down. As the pressure grew, Picard ended the first period with an amazing glove save against the Halifax Metro offence.

The North Bay Ice Boltz commenced the second period with energy and momentum, outshooting Halifax Metro 13 to six. North Bay blueliner Jacobson had quick stick work and plowed her way to the net, but was blocked by Atlantic goalie Rebecca Weagle (Lunenburg, N.S.).

Just as Halifax Metro seemed to be tiring, Picard left the net, giving Halifax Metro a great scoring opportunity. North Bay quickly recovered and Courtney Geisler (Powassan, Ont.) scored the first goal of the game –and the tournament – from her knees. Kaitlyn McManus (Huntsville, Ont.) Alexane Papineau (Cochrane, Ont.) assisted.

North Bay continued to put on the pressure, giving Halifax Metro little opportunity to gain back momentum. The Ice Boltz started the third period with more scoring chances, and it was Jacobson who managed to penetrate the net for her first goal of the game.

During the last half of the period, tensions could be felt from the stands as Halifax Metro desperately scrambled for a goal. However, the impressive teamwork and passing by North Bay resulted in another goal scored by Jacobson, assisted by Taylor Murphy (Corbeil, Ont.)

Halifax Metro put forward amazing effort and passion and presented a strong defensive unit. North Bay showed its thirst for a win, with brute offensive force that was just too much for Halifax Metro.

North Bay faces off against Regina West) at 12 p.m. PT on Monday, April 22, while Halifax Metro will seek redemption in its game against the Edmonton Thunder (Pacific) at 4 p.m. tomorrow.