Crunch time, at last
It was on October 15 of 2021 when the Cochrane Crunch upended the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners by a 2-1 score. It would be the last time that Cochrane would win a game in the 2021-2022 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
Cochrane would finish the ’21-22 campaign on a 37 game win-less streak, going 0-35-2 in the process. Overall, the Crunch posted a league-worst record of 2-43-3 in what was a trying season in Tom Nickolau’s first full term as the owner and head coach in Cochrane.
Well, it took 11 months but Cochrane finally returned to the victory column today with a 6-4 road win over the French River Rapids. Cochrane had started the 2022-2023 season with a pair of road losses to the Espanola Paper Kings and Powassan Voodoos by respective scores of 7-3 and 5-0.
Forward Cameron Frost, an off season addition from Newfoundland-Labrador, fired two goals and an assist to spark Cochrane to today’s triumph over French River. Ben Sherman also scored twice for Cochrane, Liam Boswell added three assists and Jake Dubinsky made 32 saves for the Crunch.
They played heads up hockey tonight, very proud of them. This win is going to be one of many. Go Crunch Go!!
Congratulations Crunch hopefully more wins in the future.
With a little help and support from the Cochrane fans, sponsors, and volunteers one has to believe that GM/Coach Nickolau will restore the Crunch to a position that is respected throughout the league.