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McEachran Backstops Bombers to Shutout Victory

Fri Apr 08, 2005
Written by Mike Aylward
Photo by James Mirabelli

Ex-Lakehead Thunderwolves goaltender Cory McEachran backstopped the Thunder Bay Bombers to a 1-0 shutout win over the Aylmer Blues in the first game of their best-of-three Ontario Senior men's Renwick Cup Championship series in Thunder Bay Friday night. The winner of the series qualifies for the Allan Cup Canadian Senior men's championships in Loydminster, Saskatchewan later this month.

McEachran turned aside 29 Blues shots, including two breakaways, and was voted player of the game. The Bombers feature seven ex-Lakehead players; McEachran, Mike Jacobsen, Tyler Williamson, Robert Hillier, Jeff Adduono, Craig Priestlay, and Matt Kenny.

Kenny was easily the best Thunder Bay defenseman on the ice turning in a strong defensive effort; which included some hard body checks and two key blocked shots. He also notched an assist in Thunder Bay's only goal that was scored by Derek Levanen at 3:39 of the third period.

The Aylmer Blues are the champions of the OHA Sr. A league in Southern Ontario. Aylmer's roster is also of interest to Lakehead fans. Troy Kahler, who briefly skated for the Wolves in 2002-03 and was featured on CBC's Making The Cut series, plays for the Blues. More importantly to Lakehead fans is Aylmer's goaltender Scott Dickie. Dickie played an excellent game for the Blues, making 37 saves, including a lot of lightning fast glove saves. Dickie has committed to play for the Western Mustangs next season so this series against the Bombers should help acclimatize him to the Fort William Gardens. He played for the OHL's Kitchener Rangers from 1999 to 2003 and was a key member of Kitchener's Memorial Cup Championship squad in 2002-03. Last year he played for Adirondackof the UHL and Springfield of the UHL and has seen limited action with the Blues this season.

Game Two of the series is Saturday night at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay; with Game Three, if necessary, Sunday afternoon.